Round 11 of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship
DRS is likely to be on the pit straight and on the Kemmel straight.
Timetable (GMT+2)
Fri 23 August 2013
Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30
Sat 24 August 2013
Practice 3 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying 14:00
Sun 25 August 2013
Race 14:00
ChampionshipAside from being the home to one of the greatest circuits on the Formula One calendar, Spa is recognised throughout the world for its water. The Romans were the first people to discover its natural springs deep in the Ardennes countryside, and people still visit the town today in search of hydrotherapy. The biggest industry in the town is the famous bottled water company, Spa.
The mention of water is never far from people’s lips at the circuit, which is eight kilometres from the town. One of the most fearsome corners on the lap is Pouhon, which translates into English as ‘water well’ and the Ardennes has a micro-climate all of its own, hence rain tyres are never far from the cars.
“The great thing about Spa-Francorchamps is that it hasn’t changed over the years,” says three-time world champion Niki Lauda. “The track is an old-style circuit and is still a great challenge to the drivers, and the surrounding area hasn’t been built all over and is still very beautiful. I enjoy coming here.”
The bright lights of Liege and Brussels are a 40-minute and two-hour drive respectively, so there is something for everyone at the Belgian Grand Prix.
01 Sebastian Vettel 172
02 Kimi Räikkönen 134
03 Fernando Alonso 133
04 Lewis Hamilton 124
05 Mark Webber 105
06 Nico Rosberg 84
07 Felipe Massa 61
08 Romain Grosjean 49
Constructors' Championship
01 Red Bull Racing-Renault 277
02 Mercedes 208
03 Ferrari 194
04 Lotus-Renault 183
Kimi Raikkonen is seen as the King of Spa, having claimed four victories at the circuit. After a sabbatical in 2006, the circuit under went minor changes and reappeared in 2007. Raikkonen won that race and was set for another win in 2008 until a late rain shower saw him embark on a duel with Lewis Hamilton. The Brit won their tussle as Raikkonen crashed out, but Hamilton was later stripped of the win after cutting the circuit. Felipe Massa eventually picked up the trophy. In 2009 Force India stunned the paddock as Giancarlo Fisichella took pole before hounding Raikkonen throughout the race, finishing a second behind. Hamilton finally claimed his Belgian win in 2010 in a race affected by showers; title contenders Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button colliding in damp conditions and Fernando Alonso crashing out. Red Bull dominated in a 2011 race ruled by tyre pressures while last season, Button reigned supreme in a race remembered for a huge start crash.
- There's the possibility that driver announcements will be made over the weekend.