Spa is widely regarded as the finest motor racing circuit in the world. It has an illustrious history which starts back in 1924. The original circuit back in the pre-war days was a fearsome nine miles long and the course was a daunting mixture of unprotected public roads, trees, lampposts, road signs and houses. But the most famous thing about Spa is its weather; Even with the modern circuit shortened to 4.5 miles, track conditions can still vary at any one time from one side of the track to the other.
The challenge of Eau Rouge is still one of the most thrilling things in Formula 1. A 160 mph rollercoaster of a corner that really sorts the men from the boys. Over the years the track has seen some of the world's best drivers dominate. Ayrton Senna won the race for four consecutive years in the late-Eighties and early-Nineties, while a young German named Michael Schumacher made his debut in 1991 at the track.
Schumacher went on to take his maiden victory a year later and has gone on to win the race three times since. However, the German lost out last year after a thrilling battle with Mika Hakkinen which saw the Finn make one of the most audacious passing moves in F1 history in the race closing laps.