2009 ING Belgian Grand Prix
Race Date: 30 Aug 2009
Number of Laps: 44
Circuit Length: 7.004 km
Race Distance: 308.052 km
Lap Record: 1:45.108 - K Raikkonen (2004)
Quote:
Spa-Francorchamps
Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps circuit is among the most historic on the Formula One calendar, having hosted a (non-championship) Grand Prix as long ago as 1924, and remains one of the most popular venues with drivers and fans alike.
Run on narrow public roads, the original Spa layout was an amazing 14.9 kilometres long and notoriously dangerous. The lap distance was reduced slightly over the years, with some corners eased, but when the 'old' circuit staged its final Grand Prix in 1970 it still measured just over 14 kilometres and remained staggeringly quick - Chris Amon set that year's fastest lap at an average speed of just under 245 km/h.
Spa did not return to the calendar until 1983 and then in drastically revised form, with lap distance cut to just under seven kilometres. Somehow, though, the circuit's magic was retained. Around two thirds of the lap used the original layout and the legendary Eau Rouge corner remained intact. Only the new Bus Stop chicane on the run down to La Source drew criticism.
More than twenty years on Spa remains the longest circuit on the calendar. Its mix of long straights and challenging fast corners, coupled with its picturesque setting, means that most drivers still rank it among their favourite tracks. The weather is still notoriously changeable (it can often be simultaneously raining on one part of the track and dry on another) and Eau Rouge, with its high speed and sudden elevation change, maintains its reputation as one of Formula One racing's most technically demanding corners.
Such is the challenge of Spa that only the truly great drivers can really claim to have mastered it. In fact just six men have won the race more than twice - Juan Manuel Fangio (three times), Damon Hill (three times), Kimi Raikkonen (three times), Jim Clark (four times), Ayrton Senna (five times) and Michael Schumacher (six times).
Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps circuit is among the most historic on the Formula One calendar, having hosted a (non-championship) Grand Prix as long ago as 1924, and remains one of the most popular venues with drivers and fans alike.
Run on narrow public roads, the original Spa layout was an amazing 14.9 kilometres long and notoriously dangerous. The lap distance was reduced slightly over the years, with some corners eased, but when the 'old' circuit staged its final Grand Prix in 1970 it still measured just over 14 kilometres and remained staggeringly quick - Chris Amon set that year's fastest lap at an average speed of just under 245 km/h.
Spa did not return to the calendar until 1983 and then in drastically revised form, with lap distance cut to just under seven kilometres. Somehow, though, the circuit's magic was retained. Around two thirds of the lap used the original layout and the legendary Eau Rouge corner remained intact. Only the new Bus Stop chicane on the run down to La Source drew criticism.
More than twenty years on Spa remains the longest circuit on the calendar. Its mix of long straights and challenging fast corners, coupled with its picturesque setting, means that most drivers still rank it among their favourite tracks. The weather is still notoriously changeable (it can often be simultaneously raining on one part of the track and dry on another) and Eau Rouge, with its high speed and sudden elevation change, maintains its reputation as one of Formula One racing's most technically demanding corners.
Such is the challenge of Spa that only the truly great drivers can really claim to have mastered it. In fact just six men have won the race more than twice - Juan Manuel Fangio (three times), Damon Hill (three times), Kimi Raikkonen (three times), Jim Clark (four times), Ayrton Senna (five times) and Michael Schumacher (six times).
Friday 28th August
Formula BMW Practice Session 08:50 - 09:15
Formula One Friday Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30
GP2 Practice Session 11:55 - 12:25
Formula BMW Qualifying Session 12:50 - 13:15
Formula One Friday Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30
GP2 Qualifying Session 16:00 - 16:30
Formula One Press Conference - Press Room 16:00 - 16:30
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Practice Session 16:55 - 17:25
International Formula Master Qualifying Session 17:50 - 18:30
Saturday 29th August
International Formula Master First Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins) 09:40 - 10:15
Formula One Saturday Practice 11:00 - 12:00
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Qualifying Session 12:25 - 13:10
Formula One Qualifying 14:00
GP2 First Race (26 Laps or 75 Mins) 16:00 - 17:20
Formula BMW First Race (8 Laps or 25 Mins) 17:30 - 18:00
Sunday 30th August
International Formula Master Second Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins) 08:20 - 08:55
Formula BMW Second Race (8 Laps or 25 Mins) 09:15 - 09:45
GP2 Second Race (18 Laps or 45 Mins) 10:30 - 11:20
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Race (11 Laps or 30Mins) 11:45 - 12:20
Formula One Drivers' Track Parade 12:30
Formula One Race 14:00
Although I still don't know what kind of tickets I should buy for it, anyone?
