Race preview: Spa-Francorchamps

Get the low-down on what to expect in Belgium later this week

Published

21 JUL 2025

Est. reading time

2 min

The excitement is building ahead of Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, as Luke looks to close the gap on Formula 2 leader Richard Verschoor in Belgium.

Our Hitech TGR racer is currently 24 points behind the Dutchman in the Drivers’ Standings, but should be in buoyant spirits after claiming a podium finish at Silverstone last time out.

A similar performance in the Ardennes forest could propel him closer to the summit, with just six rounds remaining in the current campaign.

The state of play

Luke finds himself sitting fifth in the Drivers’ Standings following Round 8, having placed third in the Feature Race at Silverstone earlier this month.

That made up for a 12th-place finish in the previous day’s Sprint Race, and represented an impressive performance from the 23-year-old after only qualifying in P12.

He will have been delighted to end up on the podium at his home race, then — and to add 15 more points to his tally for the season.

The result represented Luke’s sixth podium finish of the year, putting him within touching distance of Alexander Dunne (108) and Leonardo Fornaroli (104) in third and fourth, respectively.

Previous stints at Spa

Luke can take some confidence from his previous visits to the Circuit de Spa Francorchamps.

Though he didn’t quite break into the top three, the Cheshire native nonetheless recorded a credible P6 placing in his second Formula 3 race there last year.

And his display in Belgium during the 2022 GB3 Championship was even more impressive, when he won two of the three races from pole position — as well as registering the fastest lap on both occasions.

The British driver certainly won’t be fazed by anything when he takes to the track this weekend.

Track talk

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of motorsport’s most enduringly popular venues, thanks to its combination of high-speed corners and dramatic elevation changes.

Weather conditions in the Ardennes forest are also notoriously unpredictable, increasing excitement levels for drivers and spectators alike.

Stretching across 7.004 km (4.352 miles) and featuring 20 turns, a lap of the track begins with the La Source hairpin and Eau Rouge-Raidillon complex, before overtaking opportunities arise at the long Kemmel Straight.

Sector 2 then sees a downhill run containing multiple corners, leading into a high-speed Sector 3 that culminates with an iconic chicane just before the finish line.

Race times

Free Practice is scheduled for 10.10am CEST on Friday, before Qualifying at 2.55pm.

The Sprint Race will then take place on Saturday at 13.45pm, ahead of Sunday’s Feature Race at 10am CEST.

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