I know Monza is known as the Temple of Speed, but for any driver or spectator, Spa is personally my favourite circuit. So, it was with some annoyance when I heard that the new owners of F1, Liberty Media were about to pull the plug on the F1 jewel in the crown, the race every year in Spa-Francorchamps.
I watched my first ever F1 race here when I was just 4 or 5 years old. I remember watching Jim Clark make all the other drivers look second hand during a wet race, the man was a genius! This definitely left an indelible impression on me. I revisited years later to watch Senna and Mansell duelling it out and so I have many fond memories of this magnificent circuit.
So upon hearing the news that F1 at Spa could be coming to an end, at very short notice I booked a ticket for qualifying on the Friday and Saturday and headed out to Belgium on the motorbike for the Spa F1 race at the end of August. I couldn’t stay for the actual race on Sunday as I had to be back to visit my parents. However, my short trip didn’t disappoint. I left home and crossed the Channel and passed though four countries in one day. I rode through France, stayed in Luxembourg and watched the qualifying in Belgium. It was a full on day, but I managed it on my old, trusted Yamaha FJR 1300. One thing is for sure though, the Spa F1 qualifying really is amazing to watch.
I am so glad I went as I think Spa has a reprieve for one year, and it will be taking place in 2023, but after that it sounds like it will take place in some ghastly street track in Las Vegas instead. To me, that seems a crime and anyone who loves their motorsport should book a ticket to see what might possibly be the last F1 race at Spa in 2023.
