Is the Spa-Francorchamps circuit still as special as it used to be?

What do F1 drivers think of today's Spa-Francorchamps circuit?

The debate that arose in Hungary was that the Belgian Grand Prix and thus the Spa-Francorchamps circuit would only be exciting in the rain. Max Verstappen disagrees and remains a big fan of the track despite the changes. "No, I like it. I mean, yeah, the route is flat, but I mean, even in a GT3 car, it's either flat, so it's just how the corner has evolved, I think, also in terms of safety, which I fully understand. But it's still, for me, my favourite track. Every time I go there, the layout with all the flowing corners. I think it's very nice," said Verstappen.

Nico Hulkenberg shares Verstappen's opinion but sees more challenges in wet conditions. "I think definitely in the wet, it adds extra thrill and excitement and difficulty for us drivers. Like you say, in the dry, a bit less so, especially Eau Rouge. I think we have so much downforce and high speed that that's not so much of a challenge anymore. But since I've been in F1 in the dry, it was always more or less easy. But it is definitely still special. There's so much heritage and history in that circuit. And just the scenery will always make that and leave that special."

Pierre Gasly also still finds the circuit in Belgium special. "Yeah, personally, it's always been one of my favourite race tracks. Obviously, Eau Rouge has changed. But even in lower categories, we have Formula 4, Formula 3, and Formula 2, and it has always been flat. So obviously, easier in Formula 1. But I still think the track itself is just incredible. The flow, and the rhythm through there are unique. Longest track of the calendar, which also brings something quite special about it. So yeah, every track's got its own challenges. But I just love it the way it is."

Alexander Albon agrees. "I feel like, to be honest with Eau Rouge, after your first lap, it's not really a corner anymore. So, it's more about the rest of the track. And it has a great flow. I think they do the kerbs and everything well there as well. The undulations, the cambers, it's all much more how we like it, a bit more character to it."

The circuit in Belgium is Oscar Piastri's favourite of the year. "Yeah, I would say the same. I think the first time you go up Eau Rouge, it's always very, very special, no matter what car you're in. And for me, it's still my favourite track of the year. And like Alex said, not much of that is to Eau Rouge. It's for the rest of the layout. It's a very fun circuit. In the junior categories, it was always quite good for racing and should be in F1 as well. And just a nice flowing layout. And let's be honest, there's never really going to be a track like Spa again, through the middle of a forest, and I think that definitely adds to the atmosphere of it, and the undulation and stuff like that, we're not going to have racetracks like that again. So I think that's why it's so special."

The circuit is not the big favourite for Fernando Alonso. "Yes, similar comments. It has never been my favourite track. It's in the top five for sure. It's an incredible circuit, but I think I rather prefer Suzuka or even Silverstone, I think, for the modern Formula 1 cars. Maybe more fun. And yes, racing below 30 degrees doesn't make any sense for me."

Daniel Ricciardo does believe that the challenges at Spa have diminished in recent years. "I mean, it's still an exciting track. I think it's one of those ones where we've all driven a lot of times now. So just naturally, you're not as excited as the first time you ever drove there and did a region as you say in dry conditions. Eau Rouge, it's pretty easy now. But in Spa, it rains probably 50% of the time, and in the wet, Eau Rouge is a very scary corner and it's a real corner. So it depends on the weather, but if it's an easy, sunny, dry weekend, yeah. Eau Rouge isn't the corner we talk about. It's Pouhon. That one is a real corner. It's seventh, just probably with a little lift in quality. So is it still a great circuit? It is, but maybe the challenge was 20 years ago. Maybe there were three or four challenges on the track. Maybe now there's two."

Valtteri Bottas also continues to enjoy racing at the iconic circuit. "I am still excited. For me, it has changed with the current cars, but it is still super enjoyable, and it becomes even more challenging in the rain. I think even if it's a bone-dry weekend and sunshine, it is still going to be amazing. So, I still like it." But Eau Rouge can still be a challenge according to the Finn. "It obviously depends on the car on the grid, but still like on high fuel worn tyres, you're sliding quite a bit. So it still can be a challenge in the dry, but with low fuel, and fresh tyres, not really. You just try to minimize the scrubbing and have a good line."

This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy