The Belgian Grand Prix is the thirteenth Grand Prix in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship season and is due to take place on the weekend of the 27th to the 29th of August 2010 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Hungary. If you’re planning to go to the race, here is some information about the circuit and some of the area’s other attractions.
Belgium Overview
Belgium is officially called the Kingdom of Belgium, and is situated in the north-west of Europe, between France and Holland. Although it’s only a small country, there is plenty to see there, from historic towns and cities to beautiful forests and countryside.
Getting to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is situated in the Belgian town of Spa.
You can get to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, from the U.K. either by air or rail. A number of airlines operate flights between airports in the U.K. and Brussels Airport. Alternatively, you can take the Eurostar from London St. Pancras Station to Brussels Midi Station (also known as Brussels Zuid or Brussels South).
Once in Brussels, you can rent a car and drive to Spa. It will take you about an hour and a half to drive from to the circuit from the centre of Brussels in your hire car.
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was constructed during the 1920s and the first Grand Prix to be held at the track was the 1925 European Grand Prix. There was no racing at Spa during the Second World War, but an annual Grand Prix was held there during the 1950s and 1960s.
During the 1970s, the venue for the Belgian Grand Prix alternated between Zolder and Nivelles-Baulers, as the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was considered to be too dangerous. However, a new track was constructed at the circuit and the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix returned there in 1983. Since the 1980s, the race has been held at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps most years, and further changes have been made to the track.
The current track is 7km long and includes 19 turns. The Formula 1 drivers aim to complete 44 laps of it.
Camping and Hotels
If you want to immerse yourself in the Grand Prix atmosphere, you may want to camp at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamp’s campsite. There are also a number of other campsites in the area as well.
However, if you’re looking for something more luxurious, you’ll find a number of hotels within Spa. These include the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel, the Best Western Premier Hotel Villa des Fleurs, and the Auberge du Wayai.
Alternatively, you’ll find a number of hotels in the city of Liège, which is also only about 40 minutes’ drive from Spa. Hotels in Liège include the Holiday Inn Liège, the Ramada Plaza Liège City Centre, and the Hotel Ibis Liège Centre Opera.
Nearby Attractions
One of the main attractions near the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is Stavelot Abbey, which is home to three museums, including the Spa-Francorchamps Racetrack Museum, where you can see exhibits relating to the history of the track. The other museums on the site are the Museum of the Principality of Stavelot-Malmédy, which includes exhibits relating to the history of the area as well as works of art, and the Guillaume Apollinaire Museum, which contains exhibits relating to the life and work of the poet. You can also see the remains of the abbey.
There are also a number of attractions in the nearby city of Liège, including the Palais des Princes Evêques (Former Palace of the Prince-Bishops), the 400-step stairway known as the Montagne de Bueren, and a number of museums and galleries.
Alternatively, you could extend your stay in Belgium with a few days in Brussels, so that you can see some of the city’s attractions, such as the Atonium, the Royal Palace, the famous Mannekin Pis fountain, and Mini-Europe, which features models of famous European landmarks. There are also many museums in Brussels. One of these is AutoWorld, which features more than 400 cars and a range of other exhibits relating to the history of motoring.
Essential Information
Belgium is one hour ahead of the U.K and the currency used is the euro.
Image: Nathanael Majoros
Tags: Belgian Grand Prix, Brussels, Circuit de Spa Francorchamps, Formula 1, Liege, Spa, Sports Events Travel, Stavelot Abbey
