Preview: A Full-Throttle F1 Sprint Weekend at Spa-Francorchamps
Sergio Perez during the Belgian GP qualifying at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. August 27, 2022. Spa, Belgium. Photo courtesy: Dan Mullan/Getty Images/Red Bull Pool Content.

Formula 1 heads to Spa-Francorchamps, home for the Belgian Grand Prix, the final event before the summer break, featuring F1 Sprint for the first time in Spa.

The classic high-speed thrilling venue sited in Stavelot, Belgium, will host Round 13 of the 2023 calendar, the MSC Cruises Belgian Grand Prix, the final event before the summer shutdown on Sunday.

Contrary to last weekend’s F1 Hungarian Grand Prix, where high speed does not steal the show, Spa is a fast race track by essence, the home of the iconic uphill Eau Rouge and Raidillon curves sequence.

The famous track layout, also the longest of the Formula 1 season, spans 7.004 km (4.352 mi) over 44 laps, boasting a combination of long straights and fast corners - 19 wide-ranging curves overall.

The long middle sector of the lap demands good downforce and the right balance, while the first and final sectors ask for top-end speed, crucial to the lengthy full-throttle blast.

A rollercoaster of a circuit also presents the highest elevation changes of the season between Les Combes, Turn 7, and Stavelot, Turn 15.

On top of that, the unpredictable weather often brings an extra ingredient to the challenging racing weekend.

And for the first time, Spa will hold the F1 Sprint, the two-race format, adding to the challenge as drivers will have just one practice session before heading straight into Qualifying on Friday.

F1 Sprint

The third of six presences for the F1 Sprint in 2023 consists of a two-race format introducing a 60-minute free practice session on Friday followed by a one-hour Qualifying (Q1, Q2, Q3) session to shape Sunday’s Grand Prix grid.

On Saturday, the sprint shootout is held in the morning, featuring a shorter format, Q1 lasts 12 minutes, Q2 10, and Q3 8 minutes.

The F1 Sprint is staged in the afternoon, running over 100 kilometers, awarding points to the first eight cars that cross the finish line.

Two-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen leads the drivers’ championship standings with 281 points, a staggering 110 advantage from Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Perez with 171 points.

Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso stands in third place with a 139 points tally.

Cecilia demartini
Sports Pundit staff writer @ceci_2812
Cecilia is a writer and journalist, passionate about motorsport and tennis.Her articles are published in newspapers and international online publications.

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