When you think of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps just one image springs to mind, Eau Rouge.
A corner we have misnamed for decades, it’s actually called Raidillon, Eau Rouge is perhaps the most iconic scene on the F1 calendar.
And for as long as we’ve insulted Raidillon by calling it after the stream that runs under it, that uphill climb has carved a history as motorsport’s biggest thrill ride and also one of it’s most dangerous challenges.
Show it disrespect it bites you, just ask Jacques Villeneuve and Ricardo Zonta, but get it right and any driver will tell you, nothing even comes close.
As with all iconic sights, there is a special tingle you only get when you watch a car head out of La Source and start plunging downhill because Eau Rouge is there, awaiting your presence, daring you to challenge it.
If Hermann Tilke was to design such a corner today, the FIA would tell him no because the run-off is too small and the change in elevation too steep.
In fact, the closest F1 has to Eau Rouge at a modern circuit is Turn’s 2-4 at Yas Marina, hardly a scary proposition.
Oddly enough, however, Eau Rouge wasn’t part of the original layout. The circuit followed the road which meant the flick right at the bottom of the hill was a longer, tighter corner leading to the Virage de l’Ancienne Duoanne hairpin.
The track then rejoined at the top of the hill and followed the Kemmel straight to what was a long left-hander at Les Combes.
The purpose behind the right-hand sweep of Raidillon, which was created in 1939, was to make what was one of the fastest tracks in the world even faster.
YouTube: F1 mythic corners onboard | F1 1991-2013 – Eau Rouge
Don’t forget as well that until 2000, this part of the circuit was still public roads, therefore you could drive through Eau Rouge while traffic in the other direction had to turn right where the track once went.
Over the years the challenge of Eau Rouge never really changed, you approached it at nearly full speed you carried as much throttle as you dared and hoped you popped over the crest at the top in roughly the right place.
During the V8 era, with less power and increased downforce, the rollercoaster ride became a little easier and the words ‘easy flat’ became increasingly common.
The additional torque of the V6 turbo hybrids and more weight made the sweep uphill a little less comfortable, particularly in the race, but this year, sadly, could well be the last year F1 drivers have to worry about Eau Rouge.
From 2017, increased tyre widths will massively reduce the amount of sliding, at least when new, and the greater ground effect will mean, even on the dramatic elevation change of Eau Rouge, the cars are will be much more planted to the racetrack.
It won’t be the only corner that will effectively be straightened by the new-look cars. 130R at Suzuka, Abbey at Silverstone and another Spa legend at Blanchimont, will also be among the corners that become ‘easy flat’.
It’s a downside to the rule changes but as cars continue to get more advanced it’s inevitable circuits designed four, five or six decades years ago may not be so challenging to the cars of today.
Therefore, when you sit down this weekend to watch the Belgian Grand Prix, enjoy every run from La Source to Les Combes because that hill named after a stream just under halfway in between, while still a great thrill, may not be so bottom-clenching ever again.
