Spa Francorchamps is exactly as a grand prix track should be - fast, fearsome and full of atmosphere. History can be felt everywhere here, and the circuit retains close links with a road racing past - although the 14.9km lap has been pruned to 7km. Nevertheless, the terrain is the same, and it's that undulating asphalt, ploughing through dense forest, that defines its character.
For the drivers, it's a test, and for the strategists it's a nightmare, as the weather in the Ardennes is wildly unpredictable. It can be bone dry at the far side of the circuit, and flooded in the pits.
The hairpin at the start, La Source, usually catches out a couple of cars at the start. Eau Rouge is at the foot of the hill that follows, and despite some re-working it's still an awesome challenge, taken in sixth gear at 300kph and with a blind crest. At -3.5g it's the only corner in F1 to offer negative g-force. The straight after this is long and kinked, and the best overtaking opportunity for cars that can draft the one ahead. From La Source to Les Combes, the cars are on full-throttle for 23 seconds, so this is a real test of engine durability.
From Les Combes - the key passing spot - it's then downhill all the way through the fast and demanding Pouhon to Stavelot, where the original circuit is rejoined on the ascent to the pits. Blanchimont is a corner of note, taken through the trees in sixth gear, before the new Bus Stop chicane.
Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag here last year but was then penalized. Traditionally, Kimi Raikkonen is a real threat here.
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