On 28, 29 and 30 July 2023 the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot near the spa town of Spa will host the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, perhaps for the last time. 

As Formula 1, the organisation, is looking to expand and gives more valued countries multiple races, classic venues come under threat. Belgium as a small country is an insignificant market, so Formula 1 prefers to add races in the United States, in Africa and in the Middle East. So I wanted to visit Spa before it becomes a former Grand Prix venue.

Doing an actual track walk like Oriol and I did in at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City was too much of ask. But the circuit offers guided tours. 

About the circuit

Spa-Francorchamps is currently 7.004 km or 4.352 miles long. It hosted its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985, except 2003 and 2006.

Spa also hosts several other international events including the 24 Hours of Spa, the World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. It is also home to the Uniroyal Fun Cup 25 Hours of Spa, one of the longest motor races in the world.

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The circuit has undergone several redesigns through its history, most extensively in 1979 when the track was modified and shortened from a 14.100 km or 8.761 mi)circuit using public roads to a 7.004 km permanent circuit due to safety concerns with the old circuit. It was ‘detached’ from the public roads in 2003. 

In 2007, an extra start and finish line was added before the La Source corner for Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 as the old start and finish straight ad mostly the pits had become inadequate. They are still used for other forms of racings. 

Despite its name, the circuit is not in Spa but lies in the vicinity of the town of Francorchamps within the boundaries of the municipality of Stavelot, with a part in the boundaries of Malmedy. 

Guided tour

Every day between the 16th of March and the 14th of November, the circuit hosts an activity on the track and the spectacle is guaranteed. On selected dates, you can book a guided tour. Be quick to book, as they are cheap and popular. 

“Our multilingual guide will bring you around all the key points of the circuit for around 1.30 hour. The 24 Hours paddocks and F1 paddocks, the press room, the commentators’ booths, the legendary podium where the greatest drivers have stood and even a place which is normally off-limits: the Race Control room, the true nerve centre of the circuit.”

A visit 

The tour starts at the meeting point which is the shed behind the police station near Parking P2. There you choose your language and the tour starts.

The tour focuses on the inner circuit areas, between the to pit buildings and including those. It’s quite special to see the garages, the media centre, the commentary booths and Race Control. And during the year, the podium is quite  blank. But still, I stood on number 1. 

The tour ends at the Pit Brasserie, which has the best view in the circuit, overlooking the two start and finish lines, Raidillon, La Source, the former Bus Stop Chicane and Pit Entry. 

So?

The circuit operates seven days a week, some 200 days per year. Most events are track days and then the circuit is fairly accessible. So you don’t need the guided tour. But it was worth it. And for only 12 euros per person, why not. 

It was a great day out and I’m happy we did it. 

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Other circuits I visited

• Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Zandvoort, the Netherlands.
• Valencia Street Circuit, Spain.
• Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia (1).
• Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia (2).
• Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
• Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
• Singapore.
• Le Mans, France.
• Norisring, Nuremberg, Germany.
• Vietnam.