EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE TRACK! The Story of the Spa Francorchamps Circuit

One of the 'OG' circuits in the world, the Spa Circuit is the home of the Belgian Grand Prix with it hosting races on a 8mi long triangle shaped course that was one of the fastest in the world, with the newer layout closer to 4mi in length.
It's a staple of the F1 calendar and also a firm favourite in video games, with it almost being a requirement to have. And it's the sort of track people will race because it's there. Rip your safety rating.
So then, lets look at when this place was built, it's original layouts and why they eventually decided 'enough, let's make it safer'
Enjoy! And remember to like and subscribe for more!
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[@ryanholland6750]

“Give me a new track like Miami with a fake marina and no history everyday over spa” Said no one ever The fact that there was ever any talk about spa being taken off the calendar is cause for concern!

[@Zanion]

more importantly spa still isn't safe Spa only remained on the calendar because they were unable to make a deal with southafrica for a GP at Kyalami. We might see it getting replaced after 2023. If they decide to drop one it's either the Dutch, Mexican or Belgian GP

[@gandalf_thegrey]

@@Zanion Well if that's the case it should be easy to not remove the best track out of those 3.

[@Zanion]

@@gandalf_thegrey well usually I would agree, but F1 is all about money at this point. And Spa barely pays two thirds of the Netherlands

[@mrkipling2201]

There's 7 or 8 GP's on certain tracks that should be compulsory to take place every season. They should never be removed from the calendar.

[@tomw7367]

Jim Clark hating spa but being successful there reminds me of motorcycle great Mick Doohan, who hated Assen after a huge crash that nearly led to a leg amputation, but still won 5 in a row after this happened!

[@mouseseventyfour]

I wish i could remember who said it but "A good track is one that makes it feel like you're going somewhere." And even in it's shortened layout Spa takes you on a journey.

[@aprilkurtz1589]

The last F1 race at Hockenheim was a banger. Too bad it's gone from the calendar, and in it's place is crap like Miami. Can't believe the FIA would ever consider dropping Spa.

[@connortheandroidsentbycybe7740]

M O N E Y

[@danielhafner2531]

I love the idea of a 'The History of X track' series. Would be fun :)

[@azura_2437]

More track history/layout evolution vids please, love the channel, thank you.

[@ColtAlabama]

When all the rumors started coming out that spa might be getting cut, I knew I had to go this year, and I'm so glad I did. One of the best experiences I've ever had. If any of you get the chance to do one of the teams paddock club or just the normal paddock club, do it.

[@icewhitegames6875]

Can't afford 5k for a race weekend.

[@JoseRodriguez-ey7ju]

@@icewhitegames6875 facts i live in miami and would have loved to attend the gp this year but the tickets cost more than my car :(

[@Fastvoice]

@@icewhitegames6875 Who cares for F1? There are plenty of other race weekends there which don't cost more than a 100 bucks for the whole weekend and are more fun than F1. You can even drive yourself at track days for a whole lot less money than you need as a F1 spectator. I've done more than 100 laps in several years and will never forget them.

[@icewhitegames6875]

@@FastvoiceI care for F1. But wow gees yeah thanks, didn't think of that... Rolls eyes.

[@petercolonell8743]

You should do a “track history” like this more often. Great video! Spa is the best track hands down it should never not be on a racing schedule

[@hallo_welt_ag]

The only Thing I Miss is the old Bus Stop with the straight on Pit entry. Basically the 2001 Version

[@AlexHM93]

Plus I’m glad it remains on the calendar even when it has been in doubt

[@jasonfuller9440]

The wildest race I watched at Spa was the 2019 6 hour. Run on May 4th, it started snowing during the race.

[@kerimca98]

Was there yesterday, had good fun with ELMS 4 Hours of SPA Was only 90 km away from home :p

[@Olivyay]

Not-so-random trivia: the straight between Masta and Stavelot wasn't named Hollowell until after 1925, as that's the year a British motorcycle rider of that name died there and it was named after him (which AFAIK is the only case where a part of the track at Francorchamps wasn't named after a local place).

[@patrick247two]

Thank you. Sim racing has led me to being able to identify many tracks after seeing a corner or two. This greatly increased my enjoyment of motor racing in general.

[@reptongeek]

1:15 Dude you had me weak at that perfectly pitched piece of savagery I did visit this track in 2000 and actually wanted to drive round it only to be told, I couldn't do that anymore. But at least I managed to take a picture of the restaurant where the Jordan team celebrated THAT win in 1998 I do miss the old design. I loved the Bus Stop, and mourn the days when Spa was long, fast and scary. It's too diluted now

[@reptongeek]

When I say old design, I mean after the modifications to make it shorter

[@JoseRodriguez-ey7ju]

bro just stop the current track layout is legendary and you know it, in no way is it "diluted" spa is still quite "long, fast and scary" at least by modern standards

[@TheZanzaroni]

I'm friends with a racing driver who is in a European championship, they have raced in their fair share of iconic tracks and F1 tracks that I could only dream of visiting. One day last year, he was telling me how their calendar did not have Spa on it and I told him that it was a shame since it would be amazing to drive around there. He immediately stopped me and said: "I have driven almost everywhere and I was confident before I even turned my first laps, Spa is the only track that even with the thought of driving it, I'm scared shitless."

[@xshar4]

im trying to do this type of video to my local race track, the gold coast street circuit, so im trying to take it to the next level with people who have driven it and interviews with them

[@DJunclepaul2nd]

Love driving/racing Spa online. Deffo one of my fave tracks

[@reachforthetop9]

Spa, even in it's "shorter" layout, doesn't make me think of Hockenheim as much as the tracks I've only seen in old films, one-off tests, and games: Charade, Rouen-Les Essarts, Pescara, the Nordschleife. Circuits built and defined by their landscapes, with the lengths of the tracks presenting unique challenges themselves. Circuits that stand as if they've always been there, that they're a natural part of the landscape. As much as Monaco, it is a throwback to a different era of Formula One - unlike Monaco, it's a circuit that's been able to keep up with changing technology and tests driver and car unlike any other currently on the calendar.

[@TheLPN05Fan]

Oh, this was just uploaded... Nice. Was in the mood for a history lesson.

[@TheFlual22]

If Spa is off the F1 calendar the last bit of dignity is gone. Since modern F1 cars can't handle the rain and the FIA officials are very prone to delay or cancel starts when it rains just a little bit, this is also not that unrealistic. (You just watch the yearly amout of rain that comes down in the Ardennes). In the future we'll only have GPs on some Middle Eastern Cookie cutter tracks where there is basically a 0 chance of rain ....

[@ondrejkratochvil4589]

One of the most enjoyable races I've ever done in AC was Ford Escort RS 1600 around the classic Spa - passing all those houses, poles etc. just centimeters away is great fun when you know that you can't die if you get it wrong :)

[@Milehupen]

Its funny that when you arrive at the site in Wallonia, you can still drive parts of this old track inluding the banked right hander at Stavelot which gets you to parking area of the circuit today.

[@themikaylashow9374]

I've driven at spa so many times on my playstation,love spa to bits

[@AntoniusTyas]

I hotlapped Spa in GT3 cars and LMP1 cars in GTR2 almost routinely, so I knew the layout like the back of my own hand, yet it is still difficult to master the track completely. I love that.

[@marklittle8805]

I loved the original bus stop. I hate that tilke like replacement they put on it.

[@aaronaaronsen3360]

Thanks Aidan for this video, great, informative and funny as always !

[@neilperry2224]

This race was used in the film Grand Prix in 64 by Frankenheimer.

[@garchompy_1561]

id love to see the original hairpin at the start of the old lap brought back. it would be a good alternate layout for some series to chose whether they use it or not. and like the road is still there, they just need to repave and move some barriers about.

[@falconberlina8488]

Going back up to that hairpin would turn EauRouge into an overtaking opportunity. Get La Source wrong and you better watch your mirrors!

[@tadroid3858]

Well done! Thanks as always.

[@Tminus89]

Interesting circuit :) I like history videos in this length. There are times I want to see an hour long documentary but much more often I prefer a 10-20 minute video. Would love to see videos like this more often

[@charamia9402]

Quick request: I'm unable to convert mph/miles into kph/kilometres on a fly. Some creators make a small note of the conversion written on screen and it's always greatly appreciated. Otherwise informative and entertaining as always.

[@Lego_Huracan_SuperTrofeo]

The conversion is 1.6 from 0-320 kl/m (0-200mph) and 1.5 from 300+ kl/m (200+ mph)

[@charamia9402]

@@Lego_Huracan_SuperTrofeo And I'm still unable to convert on the fly while listening to interesting topics. Me and math are on horrible therms.

[@Lego_Huracan_SuperTrofeo]

@@charamia9402 Just thought you had a calculator or a computer with a side tab, just trying to help yeah.

[@charamia9402]

@@Lego_Huracan_SuperTrofeo Still need to know how to input the equation. You'd be surprized how bad therms one could be on with maths.

[@Lego_Huracan_SuperTrofeo]

@@charamia9402 look up at my first comment... than plug the numbers you want in question into the equation.

[@consumerofstuff7854]

This is great. thanks for all the brilliant content.

[@davie2675]

With F1 these days the only two tracks I will go out of my way to watch are Spa and Suzuka. It's almost like they've forgotten what a proper circuit should be like.

[@Jailhouse_Chris]

Love your history content, and especially your opinion thereof. It's always well considered and insightful. Every time I've been to the Nurburgring to do some laps, I make a point of stopping at Spa to take a look and have lunch in the town. There's often practise of some sort going on so you can just wander in and see what's going on.

[@icewhitegames6875]

Amazing video mate. Thank you.

[@mickcompagnoni1114]

The late great Peter Brock (& numerous others) always said "Great race tracks have consequences. Spa certainly fits that statement.

[@Kev79]

Probably the only track I know every inch of. So much fun to drive in any series

[@sagittated]

Despite the orthodoxy that Spa has to stay on the schedule forever, you did a fair job of showing that spa has frequently not been on the schedule, has been continuously unsafe, arrogantly administered, and frequently inadequate for formula 1's needs. It's very pretty, though.

[@dj.m682]

Perfect timing, I'm just on the train home from Spa after the ELMS weekend

[@connorglover8720]

green trees like your eyes millward

[@areasquirrel]

"Everyone's favourite track..." except me. I'm with Jim.

[@sayharris1361]

Thanks great track history lesson.

[@benhorne9327]

My (personal) favourite is Silverstone but Spa is definitely always second

[@jimiverson3085]

FWIW, Clark also won 4 times at Zandvoort. He also had strong runs there in slower cars in 1961 and 1966.

[@alexhinterreiter129]

Tilke has to work with the grade 1 regulations for circuit design. So it's not all Tilke's fault that his tracks are all pretty similar

[@215dagby]

Spa is such a blast. Especially in a sketchy Type 49.

[@mrchipp79]

Aidan, a track I would love for you to take a look at is Ozarks International Raceway, it's a new track in the US that opened this year. It has some similar characteristics to Spa, including its setting in the middle of a forest, the ozarks forest in Southern Missouri, and it's high speed nature. There is a mod made for AC that is not completely accurate, though it is good enough to have an idea of what it is about! Give it a look please, it will be time well spent.

[@Fastvoice]

Looks like a lot of fun but not much like Spa IMHO (which I drove numerous times). More like a smaller version of the Nürburgring Nordschleife or a bigger version of Bilster Berg (both in Germany of course).

[@EyelessSnowy]

The History of Bathurst is quite interesting.... I know your a fan 🙂

[@ianwynne764]

Hello Aidan: I really like your sense of humour. Have a lovely day.

[@mikehipperson]

I used to have an LP record of the music and car sounds from the film 'Grand Prix' and it featured John Surtees driving his Cooper-Maserati along the Masta straight. He was flat out all the way in top gear with just a tiny 'confidence' lift in the kink then hard on it again!

[@jimiverson3085]

Surtees was still driving for Ferrari when he won at Spa in 1966. If you were listening to a Cooper-Maserati, that probably was Jochen Rindt.

[@navalhistoryhub3748]

Decapitated by a barbed wire fence! Feckin hell... Brutal RIP Bristoe.

[@AntoniusTyas]

Hello. Me again. That 'Eau Rouge-Raidillon becoming the new Masta Kink' sounds a lot more ominous after Dilano Van't Hoff's death...

[@photodave219]

Yeah, this is one of my favorite circuits to race at in Gran Turismo. Now I’m not fast, usually a T5 driver but I rarely win. Tho Spa was the site of my proudest win in GT7 in the Super Formula cars. Love driving this circuit

[@minibus9]

awesome

[@terrylessmann2274]

Forget Nurburgring, if I ever got to drive a track in Europe it would be Spa hands down.

[@saintuk70]

Tracks do evolve and, like Silverstone, the good tracks will evolve with grace and remain classics... (well... apart from Hockers as I really do miss the old track, but do appreciate the issues)

[@goodwood-rc4nx]

is a part of grand prix the film that showed the master kink

[@neraLcM13]

I don't recall the year but in one GP around classic Spa Jackie Stewart's pit crew told him to '"watch out for body parts at Masta"; Jackie was shocked when he arrived to find the aforementioned parts were not from the vehicles. Also, I love classic Spa in anything period correct along with the original Österreichring

[@Ramtamtama]

It was the 1973 Spa 24 Hours. At a night-time pitstop, Hans-Joachim Stuck told Jochen Mass to "look out for body parts at Masta".

[@neraLcM13]

@@Ramtamtama Thanks for clarifying the facts; I got the correct corner at least- never trust your memory as gospel.

[@3Dsjk]

@@Ramtamtama This is a prime example of how bonkers racing was in those days. Three drivers were also killed that year, and the race probably didn't stop for any of it, if they even had provisions for a safety car.

[@Euclides287]

Spa used to be my favourite track growing up but it's been replaced by *Silverstone* at the top of my list. The latter has consistently provided far better racing for the last 10 years than Spa.

[@senna3]

To be fair, Indianapolis is much smaller in area compared to Spa, but it frequently rains in one area of the track and not another.

[@AidanMillward]

Not as far to get back tho.

[@JohnSmithShields]

Still miss the old 'bus stop' chicane.

[@06racing]

Can you do a video on Pocono Raceway? What happened to turn 4?

[@daveblock4061]

Would have liked the old S/F after La Source. Seems like it would be safer and more exciting the old way.

[@chrisswain488]

According to my friends in France, Reims is pronounced RAM. I discovered this when trying to say that I had stayed in "Reems" on my way back to Blighty

[@aaronaaronsen3360]

The S is usually pronounced, could be something more close to "Rams", that's the closed I thought for the "eim" nasal sound that I found. But those pesky champagne dudes may have some other way of pronouncing it.

[@Olivyay]

It's not 'Ram' either. Closer to something like 'rhuns' but still not exactly. If you visit the Wikipedia page Aidan screenshotted, there's a sound file with a French native speaker pronouncing it.

[@robertkeefer1552]

Bring back Avus?

[@russtaylor385]

Getting peoples names right does matter particularly when their death is being discussed - Alan Stacey (not Stacy) and Chris Bristow (not Bristoe) - easily done and I had to correct the auto spelling after typing them in. Proof reading helps! No offence intended.

[@sayharris1361]

Question which of the two Japanese tracks do you like better Fuji speedway or Suzuka Circuit. How about doing a poll.

[@daninagy4173]

Magnussen's headrest flying off sure was a strange one. Scary, but strange.

[@elithornton6276]

Do the American version of spa in California Sonoma raceway

[@mrterp04]

Curious how scoring works if only one driver competes in a race. Do you have to do at least half the race?

[@elithornton6276]

Do Sonoma raceway

[@redthezz]

I was waiting for a Dick Seaman joke. You know, the British driver killed during the 1939 Belgian Grand Prix...

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

After the crash all they found was a Dick Trickle.

[@benjaminhill3604]

Yes please someone take away Herman Tolbert‘s crayon

[@Kw1q51lv3r]

so here's a question: Is Spa good because Hermann Tilke wasn't involved, or do people think Tilkedromes are bad because they are comparing it to Spa because Spa exists as the Default?

[@Midori900]

my favourite track is nürburgring

[@Dat-Mudkip]

"tHiS Is WhAT haPPeNs whEn HeRManN tiLkE doESn'T dEsIGn ThE tRaCK"

[@mauricerose3082]

...Spa Franco Chips...

[@The_BenboBaggins]

Absolutely love Spa (especially GTs at Spa - even if that makes me a basic bitch, I don't really care! 😎) Also love it IRL, having worked there, spectated a bit, amd had passenger laps around it - there's no place like it.

[@wolfgamingnetwork3542]

ok so here's my take that no one asked for fia has a safety structure for tracks with grade 1 being the only one for f1 cars spa hasn't met those standards for years so if you ask me spa shouldn't be allowed to be on the schedule until they make it meet those requirements and in fact, make it like that for all tracks to meet grade 1 with no exception

[@mikehipperson]

Monaco doesn't meet Grade 1 either!

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

Let's go the other direction, F1 can go to Grade 2 tracks and we get to see Bathurst and Watkins Glen considered for the schedule. Potrero de los Funes Circuit too.

[@Professor_GonZo]

14k Spa is legendary around our house. The cars failed this layout.

[@jimiverson3085]

Actually, Spa was slightly faster than Monza in the last year Formula 1 raced at both tracks - 1970. The fastest lap at Spa that year was 2 mph faster than Monza. Of course, the 5 liter sports cars were faster than the F1 cars at both tracks.

[@AidanMillward]

Monza isn’t held on public roads tho.

[@jimiverson3085]

@@AidanMillward True. My point is that at the end of its use as a track, the old Spa layout was the fastest in F1, circuit or road track. Which, when you consider the corner exits festooned with brick buildings, is pretty terrifying. In Rob Walker's 1970 race report, he said that Amon had told him he took the Masta Kink flat out in his March when dicing with Rodriguez. Walker estimated that was the equivalent of about 194 mph. Clark's relationship with Spa was a lot like Stewart's relationship with the Nurburgring. In each case, the great driver was a master of a track that frightened him so much that he disliked it intensely. Some lesson there about their abilities were to separate their gifts from their emotions.

[@djmakeway8683]

I thought I was the only one who thought Spa looks like an Uzi lol

[@georgethomas7814]

Spa is wonderful but sadly it might be close to another PC refit.

[@ronr6450]

My favorite tracks...1. SPA, 2. The Ring, 3. Laguna Seca. How about the rest of you?

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

Mt. Panorama, Potrero de los Funes, Watkins Glen Honourable mentions: Mont Tremblant, Interlagos

[@TheGregcellent]

EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE TRACK! Hang on, this isn't about Brands Hatch. Disappointed 😉

[@AidanMillward]

It’s not about Bathurst either but here we are.

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

@@AidanMillward You mean Potrero de los Funes isn't everyone's favourite? 😦

[@CrunchyMotorsport]

If any circuit is better in terms I history can only be beaten by Le Mans or the Nordschlife

[@grumpsisinthehouse8828]

It's not everyone's fav..!! Donnington rules..!!

[@tedtheo7131]

Eau rouge and radillon need to change, we are still seeing drivers dying there. Cool isnt a good reason for a lack of safety.

[@billgulker6187]

A beautiful track however I don’t think it promotes exciting racing for modern F1 cars.

[@TheLPN05Fan]

I once did a one hour race in Forza Motorsport 7 via Game pass in the C7.R After that I deinstalled the game. Nothing else really comes close.

[@1977jelliott]

This is what happens when Herman Tilke doesn't design the track.

[@mbgmadbull1141]

Nurb gp better imo.

[@djopdam199]

Okay Okay am I the only one ? Is master kink some new bdsm thingy?

[@KingHayabusa384]

But... that's not Guia Circuit.

[@stephy806]

The f1 and liberty media want a show in us which means money, ok, but nobody want fucking vegas or miami, give us watkins glen for example not the races around fucking nfl stadiums cause nobody want that instead of spa or monaco

[@scottl.1568]

It's not my favorite...

[@slaphead90]

It's not my favourite track. Take away Eau Rouge/Raidillon and you're left with what is probably the most boring track outside of the USA.

[@Slowburn_-lk4oh]

I love your videos Aidan but just shave your head the lines gone and your head shape looks like it will suit bald

[@AidanMillward]

Nah, I'm gonna keep it for now. It's amazing how many people are so worried about what's going on up there.

[@kurtisduke2685]

Speak properly its measured in miles

[@AidanMillward]

How bout using the standard unit of measurement used by everybody… Except America.