Spa began in 1921 as a 14.9-kilometre triangle of public roads through the Ardennes. A much shorter permanent circuit opened in 1979, preserving Eau Rouge and Raidillon; repeated changes to run-off, barriers and the final chicane have improved safety without erasing its character.
The 1998 race began with a huge pile-up and ended with Jordan's first victory through Damon Hill. Michael Schumacher scored his first win here in 1992, while rain and rapidly changing grip have shaped countless other classics.
Across 7.004 km, its 20 corners create a distinct rhythm between braking, precision and acceleration. As a permanent racing circuit, it asks drivers and teams to adapt setup, tyre management and race strategy to the venue's particular constraints, while its clockwise direction shapes the sequence of its most demanding sectors.
