After enjoying its traditional summer break, Formula 1 roars back into life this weekend the Belgian Grand Prix at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps, live on BBC One and Sky Sports F1.
One of the calendar’s true classics and one of its toughest tests, the 4.35-mile circuit features every kind of challenge for the modern Formula 1 driver and is perhaps the perfect race with which to resume a highly fascinating championship battle between Mercedes team-mates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
The undulating circuit is the longest on the Formula 1 calendar, with famous corners such as Eau Rouge, Pouhon and Blanchimont providing some of the toughest tests of the year for both drivers and engineers.
Last used in 1970, the original Spa layout was 14.9 kilometres long and notoriously dangerous, with the circuit redesigned and a shorter layout used for the first time in 1983.
Despite myriad alterations over the years, Spa-Francorchamps still pushes man and machine to the limit and the class of 2014 will be no different.
As well as being the longest circuit, Spa is also one of the season’s fastest tracks with average speeds of 140mph and the stretch from the exit of La Source to Les Combes sees the throttle wide open for 23 seconds – the longest single period on the calendar.
Indeed, in the past as much as 70 per cent of each lap has been spent at full throttle so it will be interesting to see how teams meet that demand with 2014’s hybrid power units.
Set-up is tricky too, with the key to success being the right balance between low downforce for the high-speed first and third sectors and good grip for the twistier middle sector.
Then there’s the weather. The Ardennes defines the phrase ‘four seasons in one day’ and while one end of the circuit can be bathed in sunshine the opposite side can be drenched with rain.
The changeable conditions can present a real headache for teams, especially regarding tyre choice.
All told, Spa is the perfect venue for F1’s title hopefuls to renew hostilities.
In the Driver’s Championship, just 11 points separate leader Nico Rosberg from Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, while the battle for third spot sees Daniel Ricciardo, a two-time GP winner this season, 16 points clear of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.
Of these, only Hamilton has won here before, but at mercurial Spa past form often counts for little. A thrilling race lies in prospect.
You can follow all the action from the 12th round of the 2014 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season on both BBC Sport and Sky Sports F1.
SOTB’s viewing guide to the 2014 F1 Belgian Grand Prix below:
OFFICIAL F1 WEBSITE TRACK GUIDE LIVE TIMING
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BBC Sport will broadcast the entire 2014 Belgian Grand Prix weekend live on free-to-air television across BBC One and BBC Two as Formula 1 returns to action following the summer break.
Live coverage begins on Friday with the first free practice session on BBC Two, followed by the second later in the day, while Practice three is also live on BBC Two on Saturday morning.
Then on Saturday and Sunday, BBC One and BBC One HD brings fans live coverage of the important action – qualifying and the race itself, with both sessions starting at 1.00pm.
Suzi Perry presents BBC TV’s coverage from Spa-Francorchamps across weekend where she will be joined by David Coulthard, Eddie Jordan and Allan McNish, all of whom will be on hand to provide lively analysis and discussion in the pits and paddock.
During the lengthy qualifying and race build-ups there will be plenty of new features and interviews to keep viewers informed and entertained, including David Coulthard’s grid-walk on race day.
Commentary comes from Ben Edwards and Coulthard, with Lee McKenzie and Tom Clarkson providing pit-lane updates and conduct interviews with the drivers and team personnel.
BBC Sport’s popular F1 Forum, presented by Suzi Perry, follows the conclusion of the BBC One race transmission on the BBC Red Button and online at 3.30pm.
The BBC Sport website will have live streaming of all live BBC TV broadcasts, as well as additional live video content during including extra feeds such as driver tracker, on-board cameras, pits channel and a choice of commentary, plus interviews and analysis.
All of the BBC’s TV coverage will be available to view shortly after transmission on BBC iPlayer.
BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra will also have live audio commentary of every on-track session from Spa-Francorchamps with James Allen, Jennie Gow and Allan McNish.
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FORMULA 1 2014 ON SKY SPORTS F1 HD
After a well-earned mid-season summer break, Formula 1 roars back into life this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix and Sky Sports F1 will have its usual extensive live coverage.
The race will be shown live and uninterrupted on Sunday afternoon, along with the practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday on Sky Sports F1, now on Sky channel 407 following the recent Sky Sports EPG realignment.
Simon Lazenby will anchor Sky Sports F1’s comprehensive live coverage throughout the weekend where he will be joined by regulars Damon Hill, Martin Brundle and Johnny Herbert.
Ted Kravitz will provide the latest news and reports and from the pit lane, with further reports and driver interviews from Natalie Pinkham.
Commentary on all sessions comes from David Croft, with Martin Brundle joining him for both qualifying and the race, with Anthony Davidson calling the practice sessions, as well as providing his unique insights via the Sky Pad during the weekend.
The F1 Show live from the Spa-Francorchamps pits will build up to the race weekend on Friday evening, hosted by Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham and Ted Kravitz.
During the race, a host of interactive additions, including on-board cameras, pit-lane feeds, the latest race stats and much more available via the red button and the Sky Sports for iPad app.
For those who won’t be at home, every second of the action can be seen via computers, laptops, mobiles and tablet devices on Sky Go.
Further information, news and video content can be found at skysports.com/f1, and viewers are encouraged to interact with the live programmes via Twitter – @SkySportsF1, #SkyF1.
In addition to all the F1 action, Sky Sports F1 will also screen live coverage of the GP2 and GP3 races from Spa-Francorchamps, with commentary led by Will Buxton.
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