Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix

Every August, the usual quietness surrounding the nearby villages around Francorchamps is interrupted. Instead of birdsong, you will hear the blaring sound of F1™ car engines breaking down the sound barriers at Spa-Francorchamps motor racing circuit for the Belgian Grand Prix. Prominent F1™ drivers such as Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Daniel Ricciardo are all coming to Belgium, pumped up for the next round of FIA Formula One World Championship™. They are all determined to achieve the one thing that really matters in a prestigious competition like this, and that is to win! The event promises to be a particularly competitive one this year. Read on to learn how to make the best of your time if you're planning to attend and learn a little more about the race and circuit.

Francorchamps is perhaps most known for its world famous spa and hydrotherapy facilities, but why not combine your spa break with Formula 1™? Imagine if you could experience the best of both worlds in one weekend? Thrilling Formula 1™ races during the day, and then enjoy Les Thermes de Spa's world-class outdoor and indoor facilities later in the evenings. Located next to Les Thermes de Spa, the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel provides direct access to these famous mineral springs via private cable car. How cool is that? You can literally go from your hotel room directly up the scenic hillside in your bathrobe!

A challenging circuit

Spa-Francorchamps, which is located within the Ardennes forests, is considered to be one of the most challenging racing tracks in the world due to its fast, hilly and twisty circuit. As a result, the track has been a long-time favorite among drivers and fans. Ironically, it's easy to associate the racing track with Spa due to its name. But there certainly is no relaxation for the drivers during the race!

Ever since the 1920s, race car drivers from all over the world have come to Belgium to compete for honor, glory, and the fastest lap times. F1 Grand Prix™ is one of the biggest and most glamorous sports in the world, and it has been that for a long time. It's no wonder that over 500 million fans worldwide follow it. It has it all – action, speed, fame, glory and passion. Throughout the 20th century, the sport has expanded at the same tempo as its drivers, who are continuously setting new record lap times. Meanwhile car engines have become faster and more powerful than ever before. Ferrari has the most victories in the Belgian Grand Prix, 16. However, they haven't won in Spa since 2009, when Kimi Raikkonen secured victory. Let's see how the race turns out this year!

International Recognition

In recent years, cinema fans worldwide have praised F1™ movies such as ‘Senna' and ‘Rush'. Similarly, documentary ‘1 : Life on the Limit ' released in 2014 and narrated by Michael Fassbender also received massive appreciation from outside the sports typical fan base. The sport has thus evolved into one of the most entertaining and exiting sports on offer thanks to increased media attention.

If you are planning a trip to Belgium and Francorchamps, make sure you visit during that special week-end in August if you want a chance to go to the F1 Grand Prix™. In Spa, two hotels welcome you for your stay: the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel Spa and the Radisson Blu Balmoral Hotel Spa, respectively located about 14kms and 10kms away from the race track. The bar L'Entre-Temps at Radisson Blu Balmoral Hotel, Spa boasts a part of the ceiling decorated with signatures of numerous pilots the hotel has hosted during the season, including Schumacher, Alonso and Ickx among others.