2012 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix preview

After several painstaking weeks of no Formula 1 action, fans across the globe can rejoice this weekend as Formula 1 returns at unarguably the most spectacular and demanding circuit on the calendar, with the Belgian Grand Prix at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Situated deep within the Ardennes Forest, near the towns of Spa, Malmedy and Stavelot, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit has produced some of the most exciting races of recent years and also plays host to some of the most iconic corners of the season. Although the track has undergone several redesigns since its inaugural year back in 1922, the track is still one of longest on the Formula 1 calendar, with the 7.004km lap taking just under two minutes to complete.

The weather at Spa-Francorchamps is almost as unique as the track itself, with inclement weather always a possibility throughout the Formula 1 weekend. With rain as heavy and persistent as was seen back in 1998, when only five cars finished the race on the lead lap, the teams and drivers are fully aware of the bite which the Spa-Francorchamps beast can unleash at any time.

This season sees the Formula 1 circus head to Spa-Francorchamps with a great deal of unpredictability still surrounding what has so far been a highly unique season, with seven different drivers already having won so far. With the excitement and unpredictability which can arise when Formula 1 visits Spa-Francorchamps, an eighth different winner is a strong possibility, with the likes of Kimi Raikkonen, Romain Grosjean and Michael Schumacher still without a victory in 2012.

Michael Schumacher returns to Spa this weekend to compete in his 300th Grand Prix, after making his debut at the same circuit back in 1991 for Jordan. The German legend has won the Belgian Grand Prix a record six times throughout his career (’92, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’01 and ’02). Unsurprisingly Ferrari hold the record for the most amount of races won by a Constructor, with a stunning 16 race victories at Belgian Grand Prix (’52, ’53, ’56, ’61, ’66, ’75, ’76, ’79, ’84, ’96, ’97, ’01, ’02, ’07, ’08 and ’09).

It has been confirmed that former F1 and IndyCar driver Eliseo Salazar will be the Drivers Steward at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, a role which has previously been held by fellow former drivers Nigel Mansell and Emanuele Pirro, amongst others. Eliseo Salazar’s Formula 1 career spanned three seasons, with a career best finish of 5th at the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix when he was racing for ATS. Salazar was a race winner in IndyCar, winning the season finale at Las Vegas in the 1996-97 season for Team Scandia.

The DRS zone for this weekend’s race remains relatively unchanged from last season, with the detection point located 235m before turn 2 and the activation point located 320m before turn 4. Although the device will be available to the drivers anywhere on the circuit throughout practice and qualifying, the FIA have enforced a ban on the device being activated throughout the notoriously difficult Eau Rouge corner. This is to prevent incidents similar to that seen in 1999, when Jacques Villeneuve and Ricardo Zonta crashed heavily during qualifying.

Formula 1’s visit to Spa-Francorchamps is always a highlight of the season, with action and excitement usually in abundance throughout the weekend. With the possibility of rain looming over proceedings for the weekend, this year’s Belgian Grand Prix has all the ingredients to be yet another thrilling chapter of Spa-Francorchamps and Formula 1’s unique partnership.

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