Circuit guide: Spa-Francorchamps
Eurosport - Tue, 25 Aug 11:59:00 2009
A top Formula One team reveals the key components of set-up for round 12 of the World Championship - the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
Spa-Francorchamps is the most complete test of a Formula One car on the current calendar with every aspect of the vehicle's handling tested to the limit. It combines 200mph straights with 45mph hairpins, with several sixth-gear sweepers thrown in for good measure - and, of course, the unique challenge of Eau Rouge.
While this section of the circuit and the fast left-hander at Blanchimont may no longer be as testing as they once were, corners such as Pouhon, taken blind in sixth gear, still allow the drivers to make the difference.
And all of that is before you factor in the notoriously unpredictable weather in the Ardennes, which can see the circuit soaked at one end and bone dry at the other.
Chassis
The circuit features a high number of 'aero corners' - only six of the 19 turns are taken at less than 95mph - and this would normally push the teams towards relatively high levels of downforce in order to maximise grip in the corners, as is the case at a circuit like Silverstone.
However, Spa imposes a very different trade-off, because the two long flat-out straights on the circuit both provide genuine overtaking opportunities, particularly for teams with KERS.
This means that top speed is a critical factor in order to protect position, and downforce levels must be determined accordingly.
As a result, the teams run with a medium downforce set-up, aiming to achieve end of straight speeds of around 200mph. Aerodynamic efficiency - generating maximum downforce for minimum drag - is the key to success at this circuit.
Suspension
In terms of suspension settings, the overall compromise is relatively stiff in order to ensure good aerodynamic performance in the quicker corners, and a good change of direction in the quick chicanes.
However, good traction is also critical on the exit of the final chicane and La Source hairpin, as poor performance in either part of the circuit can leave a driver vulnerable to overtaking under braking for the next corner.
Ride heights
Our ride heights are limited by the high forces encountered through the compression in Eau Rouge. From the bottom to the top of the hill, the car's ride height can vary by as much as 25mm and if the car bottoms out too much, the drivers can lose control.
With the V8 engines and the current aerodynamic regulations, Eau Rouge is now taken easily flat out at around 185mph. The drivers will scrub off around 6mph through the sequence, but it is important to conserve as much speed as possible in order to maintain position along the long straight before Les Combes.
Brakes
Almost the only part of the car which has a relatively easy time is the braking system. The circuit features just three very heavy braking events, before turns one, five and 18. Overall, though, this is one of the easiest circuits for the brakes owing to the numerous high-speed corners that require little braking effort.
Engine
Along with Monza, Spa is the most demanding circuit of the season for the V8 engines. The duty cycle is particularly severe, with 72 per cent of the lap spent at full throttle - only Monza exceeds this figure, with 76 per cent. Furthermore, this includes two prolonged full throttle periods of over 20 seconds.
The most challenging of these is undoubtedly the run of approximately 23 seconds from La Source to Les Combes, which includes Eau Rouge. This sequence exposes the engine and its ancillaries to extreme positive and negative vertical 'G' forces through the compression and over the crest that follows. This is a factor we take into account when designing our lubrication systems, in order to avoid problems with oil feed under the extreme loadings.
Spa is also the longest lap of the season, and the circuit has a very high fuel mass penalty. Under the current qualifying regulations, this means that an engine with good fuel consumption can be a particular advantage.
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Comment 18 - 37 of 37
formula1police, I think if Yahoo just had an ignore feature whereby you could have the system automatically eliminate the posts of the names you enter into it, this board would improve dramatically.
The yahoo agents are out in force again I see, flodding their site with endless dribble. No wonder so many people are sick of this site, but what we all need is a F1 site that talks seriously about F1, where we can all post senseable veiws about F1 without getting abused. Any takers, all you need to do is use facebook, my space, twitter, or even blogger, and build up this page site with F1 material, then advertise it, it can be done.
itta make mea happy asun ofa muppet a noa longer a posting a his a deceiving a bile a trying a toa portray cheating hamilton asun as a legitimite a anda genuine a champion hammy asun phoney a world a title will a be a thing a ofa past when a the a new anda genuine a champion will a take his a rightful a place later a this a year 2009 NEW ANDA GENUINE A WORLD A F1 CHAMPION JENSON A BUTTON
not a soa long a now a before a hammy asun has a toa relinquish a his a hold a ona his a phoney a title
itta make mea happy asun ofa muppet a noa longer a posting a his a deceiving a bile a trying a toa portray cheating hamilton asun as a legitimite a anda genuine a champion hammy asun phoney a world a title will a be a thing a ofa past when a the a new anda genuine a champion will a take his a rightful a place later a this a year 2009 NEW ANDA GENUINE A WORLD A F1 CHAMPION JENSON A BUTTON
not a soa long a now a before a hammy asun has a toa relinquish a his a hold a ona his a phoney a title
itta make mea happy asun ofa muppet a noa longer a posting a his a deceiving a bile a trying a toa portray cheating hamilton asun as a legitimite a anda genuine a champion hammy asun phoney a world a title will a be a thing a ofa past when a the a new anda genuine a champion will a take his a rightful a place later a this a year 2009 NEW ANDA GENUINE A WORLD A F1 CHAMPION JENSON A BUTTON
not a soa long a now a before a hammy asun has a toa relinquish a his a hold a ona his a phoney a title
remember a mr a hamilton asun fans No magic a cheat Kers button a No win ,,itta all a change back toa normal inna next a races Hungary anda Valencia a the best a tracks for a Kers Mr a hamilton asun a need the Cheat a button toa win otherwise a muclaren are a rubbish,,, mr a hamilton asun a lasta 7 a races 0 pts 0 pts 0 pts 0 pts 0 pts 10 pts 8 pts.......a = 18 pts from a poss 70...he a mr a hamilton asun a done the anew a world champion a J . BUTTON the biggest a favour,,,lots ofa mistakes from top a teams to a day thats a why a mr a hamilton asun a win witha cheat a button,,still itta back toa normal ata next a race... THE ANEW F1 WORLD CHAMPION J . BUTTON 09-10
mr a hamilton asun the a Fake anda Phoney Glock assisted secret stealing 2008 a title a holder.......................
JENSON A BUTTON THE ANEW ANDA GENUINE F1 WORLD CHAMPION.....mr a hamilton asun the forgotten man.....itta also a make a mea laugh a 1 a win witha cheating a Kers a button from a mr a hamilton asun anda all hea fans a get a excited a saying a now hea will win the a title....WAKE UP MUPPETS.......................................
mr a hamilton asun a been the fed from the a silver a spoon from a birth ,,,a No a rookie a been given a top a drive from a day a 1 like a mr a hamilton asun anda still he a mr a hamilton asun anda hes a team muclaren had toa cheat anda spy anda steal the a secrets toa win the a title,,,MR A HAMILTON ASUN ISA THE BIGGEST A DONKEY A DRIVER ONNA THE F1 A TRACK.... a just ask the a other a drivers................................................ .... ....
NOA GLOCK!!!
NOA FERRARI A SECRETS
NOA FAKE PHONEY TITLE,,,,,,,,,,, for mr a hamilton asun....a still you a keep the a FAKE TITLE,,,,a Jenson a Button willa bring a the respect a back into a F1 ...HE A BUTTON GENUINE F1 WORLD CHAMPION 2009-2010
OK Bill, you've had your fun. Now go away and leave the board in peace.
a Potter ora me asun a never a attack a anyone a only a iffa provoked a mr a Dawn a hea needed a toa be a puta inna hes a place a Papa a sorted a it out a now hea gone a anda boards a once a again canna be a peaceful,,,for a the a reord a donald a mea nota a jeanette a bolan a mea anda a papa a not a the best a looking a buta a jeanette a she a ora he itta well a the rough
a donald a mea think a jeanette a 1 ofa bigger a site a Muppets a still a notta bigger a thana mr a Dawn though mea starting toa think a thata you a think a thata i a potter asun a isa jeanette a nowa mea think a thata F1 site a Muppet a could a inna fact a be a you a Donald ,,,,
a Potter ora me asun a never a attack a anyone a only a iffa provoked a mr a Dawn a hea needed a toa be a puta inna hes a place a Papa a sorted a it out a now hea gone a anda boards a once a again canna be a peaceful,,,for a the a reord a donald a mea nota a jeanette a bolan a mea anda a papa a not a the best a looking a buta a jeanette a she a ora he itta well a the rough
a donald a mea think a jeanette a 1 ofa bigger a site a Muppets a still a notta bigger a thana mr a Dawn though mea starting toa think a thata you a think a thata i a potter asun a isa jeanette a nowa mea think a thata F1 site a Muppet a could a inna fact a be a you a Donald ,,,,
donald and terry , have you ever actually been to spa?
@ Nicola (comment 12) The article was edited at same time stamp as my comment was posted. There was no reference to KERS when I first read the article.
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remember a mr a hamilton asun fans No magic a cheat Kers button a No win ,,itta all a change back toa normal inna next a races Hungary anda Valencia a the best a tracks for a Kers Mr a hamilton asun a need the Cheat a button toa win otherwise a muclaren are a rubbish,,, mr a hamilton asun a lasta 7 a races 0 pts 0 pts 0 pts 0 pts 0 pts 10 pts 8 pts.......a = 18 pts from a poss 70...he a mr a hamilton asun a done the anew a world champion a J . BUTTON the biggest a favour,,,lots ofa mistakes from top a teams to a day thats a why a mr a hamilton asun a win witha cheat a button,,still itta back toa normal ata next a race... THE ANEW F1 WORLD CHAMPION J . BUTTON 09-10
mr a hamilton asun the a Fake anda Phoney Glock assisted secret stealing 2008 a title a holder.......................
JENSON A BUTTON THE ANEW ANDA GENUINE F1 WORLD CHAMPION.....mr a hamilton asun the forgotten man.....itta also a make a mea laugh a 1 a win witha cheating a Kers a button from a mr a hamilton asun anda all hea fans a get a excited a saying a now hea will win the a title....WAKE UP MUPPETS.......................................
mr a hamilton asun a been the fed from the a silver a spoon from a birth ,,,a No a rookie a been given a top a drive from a day a 1 like a mr a hamilton asun anda still he a mr a hamilton asun anda hes a team muclaren had toa cheat anda spy anda steal the a secrets toa win the a title,,,MR A HAMILTON ASUN ISA THE BIGGEST A DONKEY A DRIVER ONNA THE F1 A TRACK.... a just ask the a other a drivers................................................ .... ....
NOA GLOCK!!!
NOA FERRARI A SECRETS
NOA FAKE PHONEY TITLE,,,,,,,,,,, for mr a hamilton asun....a still you a keep the a FAKE TITLE,,,,a Jenson a Button willa bring a the respect a back into a F1 ...HE A BUTTON GENUINE F1 WORLD CHAMPION 2009-2010
remember a mr a hamilton asun fans No magic a cheat Kers button a No win ,,itta all a change back toa normal inna next a races Hungary anda Valencia a the best a tracks for a Kers Mr a hamilton asun a need the Cheat a button toa win otherwise a muclaren are a rubbish,,, mr a hamilton asun a lasta 7 a races 0 pts 0 pts 0 pts 0 pts 0 pts 10 pts 8 pts.......a = 18 pts from a poss 70...he a mr a hamilton asun a done the anew a world champion a J . BUTTON the biggest a favour,,,lots ofa mistakes from top a teams to a day thats a why a mr a hamilton asun a win witha cheat a button,,still itta back toa normal ata next a race... THE ANEW F1 WORLD CHAMPION J . BUTTON 09-10
mr a hamilton asun the a Fake anda Phoney Glock assisted secret stealing 2008 a title a holder.......................
JENSON A BUTTON THE ANEW ANDA GENUINE F1 WORLD CHAMPION.....mr a hamilton asun the forgotten man.....itta also a make a mea laugh a 1 a win witha cheating a Kers a button from a mr a hamilton asun anda all hea fans a get a excited a saying a now hea will win the a title....WAKE UP MUPPETS.......................................
mr a hamilton asun a been the fed from the a silver a spoon from a birth ,,,a No a rookie a been given a top a drive from a day a 1 like a mr a hamilton asun anda still he a mr a hamilton asun anda hes a team muclaren had toa cheat anda spy anda steal the a secrets toa win the a title,,,MR A HAMILTON ASUN ISA THE BIGGEST A DONKEY A DRIVER ONNA THE F1 A TRACK.... a just ask the a other a drivers................................................ .... ....
NOA GLOCK!!!
NOA FERRARI A SECRETS
NOA FAKE PHONEY TITLE,,,,,,,,,,, for mr a hamilton asun....a still you a keep the a FAKE TITLE,,,,a Jenson a Button willa bring a the respect a back into a F1 ...HE A BUTTON GENUINE F1 WORLD CHAMPION 2009-2010
That Rubens is always dropping bits off his car......
I agree with you Terry, but didn't I just read that Valencia had signed a contract extension? Pity.
Terry, from a spectators standpoint, Spa is an horrendous circuit. No facilities, chemical toilets that you can smell as soon as you park your car and unless you get there at dawn, C*R*A*P viewing. the only plus is that it is one of the few circuits were they let you walk the track after the race, picked up a small piece off rubens ferrari there in 2001
fishblue6 (22): Where else would you hold the BELGIAN GP (other than Belgium)?
I'm surprised the Belgian Grand Prix is being held in Belgium. Isn't there some place in the middle east where Bernie could run the race?
i think kimi is massively underrated at the moment.
he doesnt have the car for qualifing but is getting on the podium with some regualrity
Spa... Finally!!!
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