Circuit authorities at Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps have shared some update photos of the ongoing construction work at the venue, with huge upgrades being put in place ahead of the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix. Work is currently underway to upgrade facilities and grandstands, as well as putting in more run-off at certain corners. The aim is to increase the safety at several corners, in particular the high-speed sections such as Eau Rouge/Raidillon and, further around the lap, at Blanchimont. Sweeping changes are being made to the fearsomely fast Eau Rouge/Raidillon, in order to reduce the speed with which drivers climb over the crest of the hill. Tarmac run-off is being increased on the right-hand side of the top of Raidillon, while the left-hand side will also see the tarmac extended outwards. More run-off is being added through Eau Rouge as the radius of the corner is tweaked, while a new, covered grandstand is being added at the top of Raidillon.
An unusual decision by Spa-Francorchamps
The latest update pictures show that the sequence has had its top layer of asphalt removed, with new tarmac being laid down through Eau Rouge and up the hill. However, in what is sure to be a contentious decision, a sausage kerb has been installed on the left-hand side of the corner entry – sausage kerbs have come in for serious criticism in recent years due to their tendency to launch cars into the air. W Series driver Abbie Eaton fractured two vertebrae in late 2021 when she launched over a sausage kerb at the Circuit of the Americas, while Sean Gelael also injured his back in a Formula 2 incident in 2020 when his car was thrown into the air by a kerb in Barcelona. One of the biggest crashes in recent years was caused by a sausage kerb. Australian Alex Peroni, racing in Formula 3 in 2019, went over a sausage kerb on the exit of Parabolica at Monza. His car was launched scarily high into the air and landed on the tyre barriers. The kerbs were removed in light of the crash.
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#workinprogress 🏎🚧🏍 Bye Bye old tarmac ! The resurfacing begins ! #circuitspa #spafrancorchamps #raidillon #eaurouge pic.twitter.com/OeQPeGK5lM — Spa-Francorchamps (@circuitspa) March 5, 2022
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