What's Behind the Names of Spa's Corners

Ahead of the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, Formula 1's official website delved into the history behind the names of each corner at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Like other historic tracks such as Monaco and Silverstone, Spa boasts numerous memorable corner names. But what do they all mean? From the steep climb beginning with 'Eau Rouge' to the 'Bus Stop' chicane at the end of the lap, we explore the origins of each turn.

Turn 1 – 'La Source'

After the lights go out, drivers accelerate down the short straight towards 'La Source' – the slowest corner on the track. It has been the scene of several frightening first-lap incidents, such as the one in 2012. Its name is linked to the numerous water springs in the region – a recurring theme among Spa's corners.

Turns 2/3/4 – 'Raidillon de l'Eau Rouge'

Confusion can arise here, as 'Eau Rouge' doesn't refer to the entire iconic climb. The name, meaning 'red water,' only encompasses the lower part of the hill and echoes the name of a stream that runs beneath the track. High iron deposits in the soil give the water its characteristic red hue.

'Raidillon' (from the French for 'steep path') is the hill itself and its crest, reaching a maximum gradient of 15% to create one of Formula 1's most recognizable corners. Watching drivers rocket uphill is a true spectacle, and in 2011, Mark Webber managed a daring overtake against Fernando Alonso right here.

Turns 5/6 – 'Les Combes'

After cresting the hill and flying down the 'Kemmel Straight' – possibly named after a Belgian village, though no one is entirely sure – drivers head into the 'Les Combes' chicane, which translates to 'the valleys' or 'the gorges.' This might signify that drivers have passed the highest point of the track and are descending towards the end of the lap. It was here in 2000 that Mika Häkkinen executed a stunning double overtake.

Turn 7 – 'Malmedy'

Next is the right-hand turn 'Malmedy,' named after a Belgian town. When organizers decided to hold a race in the region in 1920, they chose to outline a track using existing roads connecting Spa, Malmedy, and Stavelot.

Turn 8 – 'Bruxelles'

This long right-hand corner can feel endless in the wet conditions that often accompany races at Spa. Today, it bears the name of Belgium's capital – Brussels. Some still refer to it by its alternative name 'Rivage,' which is also the name of a local hamlet.

Turn 9 – 'Jacky Ickx Curve'

We arrive at a truly contentious corner – Turn 9. For years, it was known as the 'Nameless Corner,' which isn't entirely accurate, as it was previously called 'Speaker's Corner' due to the broadcast tower located there.

In recent years, it has been renamed in honor of the legendary Belgian driver and multiple Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx, who competed in Formula 1 between 1966 and 1979, securing eight victories.

Turns 10/11 – 'Pouhon'

'Pouhon' can be roughly translated as 'the place from which water is drawn' and refers to the iron-rich mineral springs that have attracted tourists to the area for centuries.

The track has undergone so many modifications over the years that it's not surprising many of its corners have different names. French speakers sometimes call this section 'Double Gauche,' meaning 'double left' – quite understandable, as it consists of two left-hand curves.

Turns 12/13 – 'Fagnes'

The official name for Turns 12 and 13 is 'Fagnes,' reflecting the name of the nearby nature reserve in the Ardennes forest. It surrounds the track and provides a breathtaking backdrop for the races.

However, if you want to blend in with the locals, you might call it 'Pif-Paf' – French slang for the rapid change of direction in a chicane.

Turns 14/15 – 'Campus' and 'Paul Frère Curve'

Another corner with multiple names. What is known today as 'Campus' (in honor of the local educational center 'Campus Automobile') was previously called 'Stavelot' after a nearby town.

The 'Paul Frère Curve' has a clearer origin – it honors a Belgian racer and journalist who participated in 11 Grand Prix races in the 1960s, but is perhaps best remembered for his Ferrari victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1960.

Turns 16/17 – 'Blanchimont'

The high-speed left-hand turns towards the end of the lap are named after a farm that was located near the track, reinforcing the circuit's connection to local Belgian landmarks.

Turns 18/19 – 'Bus Stop'

Some call it the 'Bus Stop,' others prefer the simpler name 'The Chicane.' Before one of its many reconstructions, this final tense section of the track was a public road when no races were taking place, and a bus stop was located there.

It was removed before the 2007 Belgian Grand Prix, and the chicane itself was slightly repositioned to create more space for the pit lane and the start-finish straight.