Spa Francorchamps Race Track - Full Guide for Sim Racing

Aug 28 2024

In this complete Spa Francorchamps race track guide, we’ll break down each corner, discuss optimal braking points, and provide tips on how to get a good lap time and win your sim racing games like Assetto Corsa, iRacing, etc.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most iconic and challenging tracks in the world of motorsport. Located in the Ardennes region of Belgium, this legendary circuit is known for its high-speed corners, elevation changes, and unpredictable weather.

Overview of the Spa Francorchamps track

The Spa Francorchamps track is a 7.004 km (4.352 mi) circuit that features 20 corners and significant elevation changes. The track is famous for its fast, flowing sections combined with technical, low-speed corners. It’s a circuit that rewards precision, bravery, and consistency.

Spa track map with corner names

Spa-Francochamps Official Website

Spa Race Track: Corner-by-Corner Guide

La Source (Turn 1)

Corner type: tight hairpin
Braking point: approximately 100 meters before the corner, just after passing under the footbridge.
Apex speed: around 60-70 km/h (37-43 mph)
Tips: La Source is the first corner of the lap and a critical overtaking opportunity. Brake hard in a straight line and turn in smoothly, hitting the late apex. Be careful with throttle application on exit, as wheel spin can easily ruin your run down to Eau Rouge.

Eau Rouge & Raidillon (Turns 2-4)

Corner type: high-speed left-right-left combination with elevation change
Braking point: lift slightly or dab the brake depending on your car’s setup.
Apex speed: around 230-250 km/h (143-155 mph)
Tips: approach Eau Rouge flat-out and prepare for a minor lift or slight brake before turning left. As you climb the hill, aim for the inside kerb at Raidillon (Turn 4). Keep the car balanced and avoid too much steering input to maintain speed up the Kemmel Straight.

Kemmel Straight

Section type: high-speed straight
Tips: this long straight offers a great slipstreaming opportunity. Maximize your exit from Raidillon to carry as much speed as possible. Consider your positioning for an overtaking move into Les Combes.

Les Combes (Turns 5-7)

Corner type: medium-speed right-left-right chicane
Braking point: around 120 meters before the first right-hander (Turn 5).
Apex speed: around 110-130 km/h (68-81 mph)
Tips: brake hard in a straight line and downshift quickly. Hit the apex of Turn 5, then smoothly transition through Turns 6 and 7. Avoid excessive curb usage, especially on Turn 6, to maintain stability.

Bruxelles (Turn 8)

Corner type: long, tight right-hand hairpin
Braking point: around 80 meters before the corner.
Apex speed: around 70-80 km/h (43-50 mph)
Tips: this downhill hairpin is tricky due to its long radius. Brake early and gently trail brake into the apex. Avoid running wide on exit, as it will compromise your line for the following corner.

Speaker’s Corner (Turn 9)

Corner type: left-hand medium-speed corner
Braking point: lift or brake lightly just after exiting Turn 8.
Apex speed: around 120-140 km/h (75-87 mph)
Tips: this corner has a deceptive camber that can unsettle the car. Stay close to the inside kerb and avoid overcommitting, as the exit is critical for the following straight.

Pouhon (Turns 10-11)

Corner type: high-speed left-hand double apex
Braking point: slight lift or dab of the brake before Turn 10.
Apex speed: around 180-200 km/h (112-124 mph)
Tips: one of the most challenging corners at Spa. Approach Pouhon with confidence but be cautious not to carry too much speed. Aim for a late apex in Turn 10 to set up Turn 11 smoothly.

Fagnes (Turns 12-13)

Corner type: medium-speed right-left chicane
Braking point: around 80 meters before Turn 12.
Apex speed: around 110-120 km/h (68-75 mph)
Tips: the entry is critical here; brake in a straight line and hit the apex of Turn 12. Be smooth on the transition to Turn 13, using the kerbs to rotate the car without unsettling it.

Stavelot (Turns 14-15)

Corner type: medium-speed right-handers
Braking point: around 70 meters before Turn 14.
Apex speed: around 140-160 km/h (87-99 mph)
Tips: these two right-handers lead onto the fast back section of the track. Prioritize a good exit from Turn 15 to maximize your speed through Blanchimont.

Blanchimont (Turn 16-17)

Corner type: high-speed left-hand kink
Braking point: none (flat-out in most cars).
Apex speed: around 270-290 km/h (168-180 mph)
Tips: this corner is flat-out but requires precision. Slightly lift if needed and aim for the inside kerb without hitting it too hard. Position yourself well for the chicane ahead.

Bus Stop Chicane (Turns 18-19)

Corner type: tight right-left chicane
Braking point: around 130 meters before Turn 17.
Apex speed: around 60-70 km/h (37-43 mph)
Tips: the final chicane is a prime overtaking spot. Brake hard and late, then turn in sharply. Focus on a clean exit to carry speed onto the main straight. Be mindful of track limits.

How to be faster at Spa?

Maximize track time: consistent practice is key to mastering Spa. Spend time learning each corner’s nuances and perfect your racing line.
Focus on exit speeds: Spa rewards good exits from corners that lead onto long straights, such as La Source, Turn 15, and the Bus Stop Chicane.
Trail braking: use trail braking to maintain speed through tight corners like La Source and Bruxelles without losing control.
Be smooth: Spa’s fast sections require smooth inputs. Avoid jerky steering, braking, or throttle movements, as they can unsettle the car.
Watch for weather changes: Spa is notorious for unpredictable weather. Practice in varying conditions to prepare for rain or changing track conditions during a race.

Is Spa a hard track?

Yes, Spa-Francorchamps is generally considered a challenging and demanding track, both physically and technically for drivers. Here’s why:

Technical Difficulty:

Elevation changes: Spa is famous for dramatic elevation shifts, especially through corners like Eau Rouge and Raidillon.
High-speed corners: corners like Blanchimont and Pouhon require serious confidence and precision.
Weather unpredictability: it’s common to have rain on one part of the track and sunshine on another, which adds a layer of strategy and risk.
Long lap: at about 7 km (4.35 miles), it’s one of the longest circuits in modern racing. This means fewer laps per race and less time to recover from mistakes.

Is it easy to overtake in Spa?

Overtaking at Spa-Francorchamps can be easier compared to many other tracks, but it still depends on the car, race conditions, and driver skill. Here’s a breakdown:

Why it’s relatively easier:

Long straights: the Kemmel Straight (after Eau Rouge and Raidillon) is one of the best overtaking zones thanks to DRS (in F1) or slipstream in general.
Heavy braking zones: turn 1 (La Source) and the Bus Stop chicane are prime places to dive in.
Elevation changes: these can help with momentum and slipstreaming, especially going uphill through Eau Rouge.

What makes it tricky:

High-speed corners: some sections (like Blanchimont or Pouhon) are not ideal for overtaking because they’re so fast and risky.
Dirty air & turbulence: especially in high-downforce cars, following closely can be tough.
Weather: Spa is infamous for changing conditions—rain on one part of the track, dry on another—which can turn overtaking into a gamble.

So overall: yes, Spa is one of the better tracks for overtaking, especially in racing series like F1, GT, or sim racing. But it’s still all about timing, racecraft, and seizing the right moment.

What is the famous turn at Spa-Francorchamps?

The most famous turn at Spa-Francorchamps is Eau Rouge – Raidillon.

This iconic section is a combination of a left-hand kink (Eau Rouge) followed immediately by a steep uphill right-left sweep (Raidillon). It’s renowned for its dramatic elevation change, speed, and the courage it demands from drivers. Taken flat out in modern F1 cars, it’s one of the most thrilling corners in motorsport.

What is the famous turn at Spa-Francorchamps?

Spa-Francorchamps Eau Rouge – Raidillon

It’s often simply referred to as “Eau Rouge” by fans, even though technically Raidillon is the name of the crest at the top.

Legendary, beautiful, and dangerous: it’s a true test of both car and sim racer.

How to master Spa Francorchamps – Conclusion

Mastering Spa-Francorchamps is a rewarding challenge for any sim racer. By understanding each corner, perfecting your technique, and employing smart race strategies, you can achieve faster lap times and put yourself in a strong position to win races.

Now, you have all the cards in hand to be a competitive opponent in your next Spa-Francorchamps races.