Formula 1

Ricciardo Asks “What’s Not To Like” About Spa Ahead Of The Belgian Grand Prix

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Daniel Ricciardo - F1
Credit: Octane Photographic Ltd

Daniel Ricciardo is excited to return to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the scene of his third Formula 1 victory back in 2014.

The Aussie has a good record at the Belgian Grand Prix with his win in 2014 and two other appearances on the podium in the past couple of seasons for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.

“I was third at Spa last year, second the year before and I won in 2014,” said Ricciardo.  “It’s a cool place and a very historic track.”

Spa is the longest track on the calendar and Ricciardo believes that its length helps drivers if they make a mistake during qualifying.

“The lap is long but it’s one where you feel that if you make a little mistake somewhere, maybe you can get it back, as there are so many corners and it’s never over until the full lap is done,” said the Australian.

“It’s not like Austria, where if you make a mistake at the first corner your lap is pretty much ruined.  At Spa you can make some time back towards the end of the lap, but obviously you would prefer each lap to be perfect!

“I really like the flowing middle sector, I enjoy quick changes of direction and it has plenty of that.  Pouhon, Turn 10 is one of the fastest and coolest corners on the calendar.”

There has been criticism in the past about a lack of overtaking but Ricciardo feels Spa is a track that will encourage and help drivers with overtaking.

“Spa is good for overtaking, has big slipstreams and is high speed – so it’s a fun track,” he said.  “What’s not to like.”

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A journalism student from Scotland. Covering Formula 1 for The Checkered Flag.
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