Spa Franchorchamps host round eight of GP2 Series20/08/2010

GP2 heads to Spa

With just three rounds remaining in the 2010 GP2 Series, Spa Francorchamps will provide the next instalment of GP2 action on 27-29 August, this time on Bridgestone’s medium specification slick.

Spa presents many challenges in terms of car set-up and tyre pressures, and is a relatively stressful circuit for the tyres due to the varying demands of the track and its high speed nature.

Spa is the longest circuit on the GP2 calendar

The venue offers a lengthy 7.004 km lap distance, also being renowned for its steep elevation changes and variable weather conditions which are often experienced during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

Bridgestone’s medium compound GP2 dry tyre has been re-introduced to this round of the championship, as the lower working range of this specification is more suitable for the cooler ambient temperatures expected here and the abrasive track surface. In addition to the Potenza racing slick, Bridgestone’s wet GP2 tyre is commonly utilised at Spa, and due to the fact that it can sometimes rain on just one section of the circuit, the teams’ tyre choices and pit stop strategies can be highly influential on race results.

Alvaro Parente and Giedo van der Garde were victorious at this circuit in Belgium last year on the soft specification Bridgestone tyre, Parente securing Ocean Racing Technology’s first ever GP2 win.

Spa Francorchamps has a fast layout

“Many drivers enjoy Spa Francorchamps because it has a fast layout, features some unique sections of track and offers a variety of corners. As well as preparing the car for the high speed turns, the teams also need to adjust the set-up to achieve the traction required on the approach to Eau Rouge and to give stability in the heavy braking zones before turns five and eighteen. Drivers need to manage the front right hand tyres well, as turn ten is a quick left hand corner which loads up the front right of the car. The medium compound GP2 dry tyre has been selected this year for Spa as the track surface is quite abrasive and temperatures can be unpredictable, meaning this specification will offer the best working range.”
Hirohide Hamashima - Director of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development

Stats & Facts
Number & Spec of tyres for Spa: 704 (medium and wet)
Pole position time 2009: 1m 54.970s – A Parente, Ocean Racing Technology
Fastest race lap 2009:   1m 56.731s – S Perez, Telmex Arden International (R2)
Top three 2009 race 1: A Parente (Ocean Racing), N Hulkenberg (ART), L di Grassi (Racing Engineering)
Top three 2009 race 2: G van der Garde (iSport), R Rodriguez (Piquet GP), D Nunes (iSport