EXPLAINED: How the Spa-Francorchamps Corners Got Their Names

After a two-week break, the F1 field has returned to action at Spa-Francorchamps, and we find out how the corners of the iconic race track received their names.

After a two-week break, the F1 field has returned to action at Spa-Francorchamps, with the Belgian Grand Prix featuring a sprint weekend format.

After the races in Shanghai and Miami, this will be the third weekend of the year run to the Sprint format: just one free practice session on Friday, after which it’s Sprint Qualifying, with the Sprint race itself run over 15 laps on Saturday, following by qualifying.

The usual 44 laps of the Belgian Grand Prix proper take place on Sunday. It’s the second time this circuit has hosted a Sprint, following on from the one in 2023.

Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most spectacular tracks, very popular with teams and drivers because of its technical complexity and the challenges it presents.

It is the longest track on the calendar, exceeding the seven kilometre mark by four metres. Its three sectors have very different characteristics: the first is the quickest and includes what are probably the most famous corners, Eau-Rouge and Raidillon.

Following the combination of Eau-Rouge and Raidillon, driver complete a long straight, followed by a heavy braking area. The second sector is more twisty, featuring a mix of medium-speed corners, several of them downhill, whilst the third sector is more flowing with a slight but nevertheless noticeable incline.

The first corner on the circuit is also the slowest. The hairpin gets its name from the multiple water sources in the region.

La Source marks one of the shortest approaches to the first corner off the line on the calendar. This tricky corner sees cars concertina in the braking zone on the opening lap.

In 2018, Fernando Alonso found himself airborne over the top of Charles Leclerc's Sauber. In 1998, the field bunching up led to one of the biggest first-lap crashes in F1 history, with much of the field involved.

Raidillon in French means 'steep path'. Eau Rouge means 'red water'.

The famous left, right, left section of track reaches a maximum gradient of 15% and is one of the most famous in the world. Eau Rouge itself is a 15 kilometre-long stream which runs through the region and passes beneath the track at the bottom of the hill. The reddish colouring of the water comes from the increased presence of iron oxide on the stones of the riverbed.

The chicane sequence at the top of the hill at the end of the Kemmel Straight takes its name from the meaning of a small gorge or ravine, potentially alluding to the fact the track heads downwards into the valley for the remainder of the lap.

Les Combes is also the name of a hamlet close by to the circuit.

The right turn that takes the drivers further into the heart of the Ardennes takes its names from the nearby City of Malmedy. Home nowadays to just 12,000 people, the city is full of protected heritage sites, dating back centuries.

Similar to Malmedy, Rivage gets its name from a village that sits nearby to the corner itself. To the driver, the long right-hander feels like it goes on forever and can be particularly treacherous to negotiate in the wet.

In recent years, the corner has adopted the name Brussels, after Belgium's capital.

Turn 9 - Speakers Corner
Many history books will tell you this left-hander does not have an official name, but digging deeper will reveal that Turn 9 is often referred to as Speakers Corner.

This name comes from the fact the turn passes by the speaker tower which broadcasts the race.

Sticking to the Spa and water theme, the exhilarating double left of Pouhon takes its name from a naturally sparking ferruginous mineral that appears in the region and gives Spa its name. The word 'Pouhon' means 'the place where water is drawn from' in French.

Another quickfire sequence of bends, the right and left at Fagnes take their name from the 'Fen' natural reserve in the neighbouring Ardennes Forest.

If you are really looking to impress the locals, be sure to refer to the corners as Piff Paff - a slang term for a quick change of direction.

Two more long right-handers that take the drivers back towards the final frantic section of the lap.

Campus is named after the Campus Automobile University, located close to the corner. It was previously named after the nearby town of Stavelot.

Paul Frere was a famous Belgian journalist and motor racing driver, who competed in 11 Formula One Grands Prix between 1952 and 1956, scoring one podium. His crowning career achievement came in 1960 when he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Another set of corners synonymous with speed and adrenaline at Spa-Francorchamps, Blanchimont takes its name from the slightly calmer-sounding surroundings of a farm that sits adjacent to the track.

Named after the bus stop that stood on the previous layout of the track. Before being redesigned for the 2007 Grand Prix, the final section of track at Spa was public road on non-race weekends.