Charles Leclerc admits Eau Rouge still represents a physical challenge for the drivers, despite being easy flat in today's Formula 1 cars.
The Monegasque had quite the experience for his first Belgian Grand Prix last year with the Halo thought to have avoided the flying McLaren of Fernando Alonso from contacting his helmet in a massive crash at La Source.
Despite that, Leclerc absolutely adores Spa-Francorchamps and is excited as anyone to get back on track.
“Spa is one of the greatest race tracks in the world and one of the most beautiful that we race on in Formula 1,” the Ferrari driver was quoted by PlanetF1.
“So it makes starting racing again after the summer break even more enjoyable.
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“It’s always impressive when you realise just how fast the current Formula 1 cars can go through the corners and at no other track is that perception so obvious.
“I’m thinking particularly of the uphill esses at Eau Rouge. The first time you get a look at it, you realise how narrow and steep it is," he admitted.
“Well, in the dry, it’s flat, despite the compression and other aspects making it particularly demanding physically, especially in the first few laps.
“With each passing lap, your neck gets used to it, your brain takes it all on board and it becomes a corner like any other, trying to get the most out of it to help with the rest of the lap, but it is still a unique section of track.
“There are plenty of other key points at Spa," Leclerc noted. "Which is why it is so important to get all the key sections absolutely right to produce the best possible performance on the first qualifying lap.
“That’s also because it is a particularly long lap and having to abort one can upset your timetable for that part of the session.”
Leclerc may well start the weekend as one of the favourites for victory at Spa, with Ferrari's power advantage expected to put them firmly in a battle with Mercedes and perhaps Red Bull.
Last year, it was his current teammate Sebastian Vettel who scored what is his and the Scuderia's last win in F1, after blasting past Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap.
