One of the world’s most famous circuits, Spa-Francorchamps boasts a motor racing history which dates back more than a century.

The first race was held in 1922, and in 1924 the famous Spa 24 Hours race was held. The original circuit was a 14.9 kilometre high-speed run along closed public roads.

Safety was always a major concern, despite course changes over the first half century of racing, and following a spate of fatal accidents in the mid-1970s, changes were on the horizon.

Of course, at this time some of the most memorable touring car races were staged – from 1966 to 1988 (save for 1974, 1975, 1977 to 1981 and 1987) the circuit was a much-revered part of the European Touring Car Championship calendar.

In 1979 the new, 6.9 km track opened, with the layout now turning right at Les Combes where the old circuit turned left, before taking drivers on a new section through to Blanchimont.

Still, speeds in some places were considered to be too high, and in 1981 the Bus Stop chicane was added in order to slow speeds on the approach to the La Source hairpin.

In 1983, a new pitlane was built just before La Source for Formula One racing, having previously been just after the corner.

Further changes were made to the Bus Stop chicane in 2002 and again in 2004, before the corner was finally reprofiled into its present form in 2007, losing the ‘Bus Stop’ moniker in the process.

In recent years, the circuit has been visited by the WTCC, DTM and presently TCR Europe, which has the track as a popular mainstay on the schedule.