Welcome to the Belgium F1 24 Track Guide!
Get ready to tackle the iconic Belgium Grand Prix circuit, Spa-Francorchamps. Known for its unpredictable weather, elevation changes, and legendary corners like Eau Rouge and La Source, Belgium is one of the most exciting and challenging tracks on the F1 calendar. This guide breaks down each sector, offering corner-by-corner tips, pole lap benchmarks, and car setup advice.
Whether racing in the dry or wet, mastering Belgium is essential for any sim racer. This guide will help you navigate Spa’s unique layout and improve your lap times, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the sport.
Circuit Overview
- Location: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
- Length: 7.004 km (4.352 miles)
- Corners: 19
- DRS Zones: 2
- Layout: A high-speed, undulating circuit with iconic corners like Eau Rouge, La Source, and Blanchimont.
- Surface: Smooth asphalt with varying grip levels depending on weather conditions.
- Unique Feature: Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps is renowned for its unpredictable weather, making it one of the most challenging tracks in F1.
Sector 1: Turns 1-4
- Turn 1 (La Source):
The lap begins with a heavy braking zone into the sharp right-hander, La Source. This is where positioning is key, as you want to ensure a smooth exit for the long downhill run that follows. - Turn 2-3 (Eau Rouge):
Approaching the famous Eau Rouge corner, you’ll carry plenty of speed uphill into a blind left-right-left complex. Focus on a smooth and controlled entry, as the camber and gradient will guide you through the turn. It’s crucial to avoid any mistakes here, as the corner sets you up for the long Kemmel Straight. - Turn 4 (Raidillon):
At the crest of Eau Rouge, the car will transition into Raidillon, a steep left-hander. Stay committed, but be cautious with throttle input, as too much wheel spin can send you off track. A clean exit is essential for maximizing the speed on the following straight. - Kemmel Straight:
This isn’t technically a corner, but this long straight is vital to prepare for Turn 5. It’s an opportunity to use the DRS and gain as much speed as possible before hitting the braking zone.
Sector 2: Turns 5-14
- Turn 5 (Les Combes):
Les Combes is a heavy braking zone into a sharp right-hander. Brake hard and late while making sure you hit the apex. Keep the car as tight as possible to avoid drifting wide. The next section leads into a tricky section. - Turn 6:
Bump over the Kerb on the inside, and let the car settle, don’t allow the car to run wide on exit, keep the car over to the left and use this corner to set you up for turn 7. - Turn 7 (Malmedy):
A sharp right-hander that requires precise throttle control. Be mindful of the track limits on exit to avoid running wide. A clean exit is important for the following downhill straight. - Turn 8 (Bruxelles):
This is a tricky medium speed corner, that is off camber and downhill. Be cautious on the throttle and utilise trail braking to make the apex, as too much speed can lead to understeer, sending you off track. - Turn 9:
Precision is key to keeping the car balanced through this technical corner, clip the kerb on the inside but be cautious not to get greedy on exit, keep the car settled on exit to keep momentum for the high speed left hander. - Turn 10-11 (La Double-Gauche):
A fast double left set of corners that needs careful throttle control. You’ll want to keep the car steady and avoid oversteering. Don’t take too much kerb, as it can upset the car’s balance. You can take this corner in 7 to help keep the car stable. - Turn 12-13 (Les Fagnes):
A medium speed right-left chicane, brake late and clip the apex on turn in, position the car in the middle of the track to aid turn in for turn 13, get close to the apex and let the car run naturally wide, but avoid the gravel trap on the outside. - Turn 14 (Campus):
Another medium speed corner, brake late and turn in clipping the apex, let the car settle on exit and ride the kerb avoiding the gravel trap, get a good exit to lead into the fast flowing sector 3.
Sector 3: Turns 15-19
- Turn 15 (Stavelot):
A fast right corner that can be taken at full throttle, clip the inside apex and let the car run wide naturally to the edge of the circuit on corner exit, keep the car as straight as possible and avoid scrubbing any speed. - Turn 16:
A fast left hand kink that is taken flat out, use this corner to position yourself for the challenging Blanchimount. - Turn 17 (Blanchimont):
A fast left-hander, Blanchimont is taken at high speed. Be careful not to carry too much speed as the track can catch you out, don’t run too wide as the will violate track limits. Staying stable here is essential to prepare for the final chicane. - Turn 18-19 (Bus Stop Chicane):
A challenging set of corners, this is a heavy braking zone that requires precision and stability, this can also be used as a overtaking opportunity. Ride the kerb in turn 18 and quickly transition into turn 19 bumping over the kerb, be cautious on throttle input and keep the car as stable as possible, use all the track on exit and head back down the start/finish straight.
Full Qualifying Lap
In this section, you’ll find my full Belgium F1 24 qualifying lap video, where I push the limits of precision and speed to challenge myself against real-world qualifying lap times. Experience the adrenaline of navigating Belgium’s iconic corners like La Source, Eau Rouge, and Blanchimont, and see how my lap compares to the best in Formula 1. Watch as I tackle the fast, flowing layout and technical chicanes of this legendary circuit, and feel the thrill of conquering the Belgian Grand Prix in the wet.
Previous Pole Lap Times at Belgium Grand Prix
Here are the pole lap times for the Belgium Grand Prix in recent years, showcasing the incredible speed and precision required to conquer the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
2024 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:53.159
2023 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:46.168
2022 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:43.665
2021 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:59.765
2020 Pole Lap: Lewis Hamilton – 1:41.252
Personal Lap Reflection
I absolutely love racing at Belgium—this circuit offers incredible racing in both the dry and the wet. For this lap, I opted for a lower downforce setup to maximize the straights in sectors 1 and 3. Even though I went for the lower downforce, the car remained surprisingly stable through the twisty sector 2. Spa is known for its ample overtaking opportunities, and this setup helps you make the most of them, ensuring you’re ready to battle at every corner. It’s always a fun challenge at this legendary circuit!
Belgium F1 24 Setup
For my Belgium F1 24 Grand Prix qualifying lap, I used a setup tailored for a 35% race distance with 100 AI difficulty. This setup strikes a balance between stability and speed, particularly for Spa’s fast straights and technical sectors. With a slightly higher downforce setup, it keeps the car stable through the challenging Sector 2 while ensuring plenty of grip for the high-speed sections in Sector 1 and 3. No mid-session adjustments are needed—this setup is a solid, “set it and forget it” approach, allowing you to focus purely on perfecting your lap and race performance.
| Aerodynamics | Front wing | 35 |
| Rear wing | 23 | |
| Transmission | Differential on-throttle | 60% |
| Differential off-throttle | 40% | |
| Engine braking | 70% | |
| Suspension Geometry | Front camber | -3.50 |
| Rear camber | -2.20 | |
| Front toe-out | 0.00 | |
| Rear toe-in | 0.10 | |
| Suspension | Front suspension | 35 |
| Rear suspension | 3 | |
| Front anti-roll bar | 18 | |
| Rear anti-roll bar | 13 | |
| Front ride height | 27 | |
| Rear ride height | 57 | |
| Brakes | Brake pressure | 100% |
| Front brake bias | 55% | |
| Tyres | Front right tyre pressure | 28.5psi |
| Front left tyre pressure | 29.5psi | |
| Rear right tyre pressure | 26.5psi | |
| Rear left tyre pressure | 26.5psi |
Memorable Moments of the Belgium Grand Prix
- Schumacher’s F1 Debut (1991):
In 1991, Michael Schumacher made his F1 debut at the Belgian Grand Prix, replacing the imprisoned Bertrand Gachot for Eddie Jordan’s team. Schumacher impressed by qualifying 7th, matching the team’s best result. Although he made a strong start, moving up to 5th, a clutch issue forced him to retire early. Despite this setback, Schumacher would go on to win his first F1 race at Spa the following year. - The Most Expensive F1 Crash (1998):
The 1998 Belgian Grand Prix was marred by heavy rain, leading to chaos on track. David Coulthard lost control of his McLaren and aquaplaned into the wall, causing a massive pile-up on the next straight. The incident resulted in an estimated $13 million in damages. Later, Coulthard collided with Michael Schumacher, who was lapping him. Furious, Schumacher retired while leading and stormed down the pit lane to confront Coulthard. - Schumacher Wins His Seventh Title (2004):
Michael Schumacher secured his seventh and final World Championship at the 2004 Belgian Grand Prix. While Kimi Raikkonen won the race, Schumacher’s second-place finish ensured no one could surpass his points tally with four races left. The German celebrated on the podium with fans who had flooded the track, marking the achievement. Schumacher’s record of seven titles stood until 2020, when Lewis Hamilton matched it with his seventh title at the Turkish Grand Prix. - Grosjean’s First Corner Crash (2012):
The 2012 Belgian Grand Prix saw a dramatic crash at Turn 1, involving Romain Grosjean and four other drivers. After a strong start, Grosjean misjudged his braking point and collided with Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren, triggering a chain reaction. Grosjean then hit Sergio Perez’s Sauber before launching over Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari, narrowly missing his helmet. The incident eliminated Grosjean, Hamilton, Perez, and Alonso from the race, with Kamui Kobayashi and Pastor Maldonado also suffering damage. Grosjean was handed a €50,000 fine and a one-race ban for the crash. - Leclerc’s First Victory (2019):
Charles Leclerc secured his maiden Formula 1 victory at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix after a dominant performance. Starting from pole, Leclerc led the race despite strong pressure from Lewis Hamilton towards the end. Hamilton closed the gap to under a second on the final lap, but Leclerc held firm to win, becoming the 108th F1 driver to claim victory. The win was especially emotional for Leclerc, as it came just a day after his close friend and Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert tragically lost his life in a crash during the F2 race. Leclerc dedicated the victory to Hubert.
Conclusion
The Belgium Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps is a true masterpiece in the world of motorsport. With its unique mix of high-speed straights, challenging corners, and unpredictable weather conditions, Spa provides a thrilling challenge for drivers and sim racers alike. From the technical complexity of Sector 2 to the adrenaline-pumping straights of Sector 1 and Sector 3, mastering this circuit requires precision, adaptability, and confidence.
Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or just starting out, this guide has provided you with key insights into how to tackle each sector, optimize your car setup, and learn from the best. Spa’s iconic corners, such as Eau Rouge, La Source, and Blanchimont, offer endless opportunities for improvement and reward those who approach them with precision.
Remember, Spa is more than just a race track – it’s a place where memorable moments are made, from Michael Schumacher’s early career debut to the unforgettable victories of Charles Leclerc. No matter the weather, this circuit remains a fan favorite, and with the right preparation, you too can conquer its challenges.
Now it’s time to put your newfound knowledge into practice and see how you measure up against the best. Enjoy the ride, and may your lap times be ever faster!
I put together this track guide using my trusty Fanatec GT DD Pro 8Nm racing wheel paired with the F1 Esports V2 rim, along with modded CSL pedals for that extra responsiveness. I race on the PS5, seated comfortably in my modified Playseat Challenge. To elevate my performance even further, I gear up with specialized gloves and boots that provide the perfect grip and feel. This setup has truly enhanced my control and precision on the track, making every racing session not just competitive, but incredibly enjoyable!
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