© Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT PhotographicVCARB Presents: The Cultural Guide to SpaFeels like forever since we last spoke.
It’salmosttimetohitthetrackforthe13thtimethisyear.Andonceagain,we’reinforabanger.
This isn’t any ordinary track we’re visiting. This is one of the GOATS. One that every driver looks forward to. One that is up there as one of the fan favourites. That’s right, we’re talking about Spa-Francorchamps and the FORMULA 1 MOËT & CHANDON BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2025.
Join Liam, Isack and the team on a cultural sightseeing tour of the best of the best in the picturesque hills of Stavelot.
This is VCARB’s Cultural Guide to Spa.
Before we begin, I think it’s worth having a quick recap of what we’ve been up to since Silverstone.
First of all, Liam climbed the famous Goodwood hill in VCARB-donned RB7. More on that here. Naturally, the whole paddock was Wimbledon mad in the run-up to the epic final on Centre Court.
With Laurent now leading Oracle Red Bull Racing, we welcome Alan Permane, who was our Racing Director as our new Team Principal. Laurent got us in our feelings, while Alan promised even more points to come for Liam and Isack.
Did you check out our VCARB All Access for the British Grand Prix, including the behind-the-scenes of our incredible SLAWN livery? NO?! Well, here’s your chance to change that…
Right, I think that’s us caught up. Let’s get into the nitty gritty of a race weekend at Spa.
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps sits in the town of Stavelot, five miles southeast of Spa. Spa became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 for its famous mineral springs and architecture. The city also gave rise to the European bathing culture in the 18th century, which is where your favourite steam room, sauna and hot spring combo got their name from. That’s right, you can thank Spa for your local spa.
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was opened in 1921 and hosted its first Grand Prix in 1925. Spa became a centrepiece of the Formula One World Championship from the inception of the series in 1950, and the first race was won by Juan Manuel Fangio. Other than a handful of years off, due to circuit refurbishments or political crises, the Belgian Grand Prix has featured on every single Formula One calendar – and will continue to do so until 2031 at the earliest.
The rise of ‘relaxation tourism’ in the post-war era of the 20th century did wonders for Spa, and brand new thermal baths were eventually opened at the start of the 21st century. The city is home to over 300 cold mineral springs and is nicknamed ‘the water city’. Living up to its name, the Belgian Grand Prix is infamous for unpredictable weather and heavy downpours, creating some of the more memorable Grand Prix in recent memory.
Belgium has three official languages: French, Dutch and German. In Spa, French is the dominant language, due to the circuit falling into the Walloon region of Belgium.
Belgium is famous across the globe for its food, art and history. Belgian waffles, Belgian beer, Belgian chocolate, it’s almost impossible to ignore the impact of this wonderfully tasty country. National dishes in Belgium are steak and mussels with fries. Flemish Stew, speculaas (cinnamon biscuit) and waterzooi (chicken broth) are some lesser-known dishes, but ones 100% worth checking out during your visit. The Belgians know how to cook, that’s for sure.
Belgium is also responsible for some of the most influential and famous media of all time, including comic books like Tintin and The Smurfs. Belgium has a very active jazz music scene and is the home of some huge music festivals, including electronic-dance-themed Tomorrowland.
Folklore is a big part of Belgian culture. Saint Nicholas Day is a non-official holiday on December 6, which is an early Christmas celebration. The Carnival of Binche is a three-day celebration that follows Ash Wednesday and is accompanied by people dressed in bright costumes and parading the streets.
The Belgian Grand Prix is one that drivers, teams and fans alike all look forward to each year. It’s a driver’s track. It ebbs and flows with the natural tapestry of the surrounding hillsides and creates some amazing racing. Plus, Eau Rouge and Radillon are arguably one of the most famous sections of race track in the world.
It doesn’t get better than this, to be honest. We love it, fans love it, and drivers love it. Isack won the F2 Feature Race in 2024, so we’re confident he’ll make some waves come Sunday. Liam is only getting faster with every race, so we can’t wait to see what our boys can do.
See you in the paddock from 25-27 July!
