- CIRCUIT:
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- EVENT:
Grand Prix of Belgium
- LENGTH: 6.968 km
- RACE
DISTANCE: 44 laps
(306.592 km)
- POLE
POSITION: 1:50.329
(M. Hakkinen)
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- The Belgian race, on what is probably
the most attractive circuit of the season, is the big rendezvous
of the year, much-anticipated by drivers and fans alike. All
the challenges a driver is likely to face are to be found here:
high speeds, hard braking, tight corners, and fast bends. Straight
after the starting line comes La Source hairpin, which is very
tight and is negotiated in 1st at 60 kph before plunging into
the track's star attraction - the Eau Rouge/Raidillon sequence.
The downhill slope between the wall and the spectator stands
is very impressive. At the bottom of the dip one can see the
left/right of Eau Rouge and the Raidillon rise. It sorts the
men from the mice with the most courageous drivers being able
to take it at top speed. But there are other strong points to
this circuit, such as the long gentle but tricky Pouhon bend
and the fast Blanchimont bend surrounded by trees. The difficult
Bus Stop chicane leads to the finish line.
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