The Origins of Every Corner Name at Spa-Francorchamps

As we gear up for the Belgian Grand Prix, it's worth taking a closer look at the storied Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This track is famed for its challenging corners and the colorful tales behind their names.

Turn 1 – La Source Starting off, we have La Source, the slowest corner on the circuit and a frequent scene of early-race drama. The name nods to the numerous natural springs in the area, which is a recurring theme for Spa's corners.

Turns 2/3/4 – Le Raidillon de l'Eau Rouge Eau Rouge often causes a bit of confusion. It refers to the lower section of the hill and takes its name from the reddish tint of a stream below, courtesy of iron-rich soil. Raidillon, meaning 'steep path', covers the hill's ascent. It's a breathtaking sight, especially when recalling Mark Webber's bold overtake on Fernando Alonso in 2011.

Turns 5/6 – Les Combes After conquering the hill and zipping down the Kemmel Straight, drivers encounter the chicane at Les Combes. The name, translating to 'the valleys', might suggest a downward journey from the circuit's peak. This spot is famed for Mika Hakkinen's unforgettable double overtake in 2000.

Turn 7 – Malmedy Named after a nearby Belgian city, Malmedy is a nod to the original road circuits linking Spa, Malmedy, and Stavelot, first mapped out for races in 1920.

Turn 8 – Bruxelles The long right-hander, Bruxelles, pays tribute to Belgium's capital. Some locals stick with its old name, Rivage, after a nearby hamlet.

Turn 9 – Jacky Ickx Curve Turn 9 has a history of identity crises. Once called The Corner With No Name, it's now named for Belgian racing legend Jacky Ickx. Prior to this, it was known as Speakers Corner, thanks to a commentary tower perched nearby.

Turns 10/11 – Pouhon Pouhon, translating to 'the place where the water is drawn from', highlights the region's mineral springs. Known to French speakers as Double Gauche, it consists of two left-hand turns.

Turns 12/13 – Fagnes Named after a nature reserve in the Ardennes, Fagnes is a section that locals often refer to as Pif-Paf, a nod to the quick direction changes in the chicane.

Turns 14/15 – Campus and Curve Paul Frere Once called Stavelot, the turn now known as Campus honors a local automotive education center. Curve Paul Frere is named after a journalist and driver who enjoyed notable success with Ferrari, including a 1960 Le Mans victory.

Turns 16/17 – Blanchimont The high-speed left-handers are named for a nearby farm, underscoring Spa's deep ties to local landmarks.

Turns 18/19 – Bus Stop Finally, we have the Bus Stop, or simply The Chicane. Before its redesigns, a public road ran through this area, complete with a bus stop. In 2007, the chicane was adjusted to make room for the pit lane and start/finish straight.

Each corner at Spa-Francorchamps is steeped in history, adding depth to the challenge faced by drivers and providing fans with stories as captivating as the races themselves.