From Lux to Lap Times: My Spa-Francorchamps Formula One Weekend

carryonsandcouture
Dec 10
4 min read

Person in red cap and Ferrari racing jacket stands in a bustling outdoor event area. Overcast sky, banners reading "FANZONE" and "CIRCUIT DE SPA."

With the Formula 1 2025 season ending this past Sunday, there is no better time to reflect on my experience at the Spa-Francorchamps weekend last year.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is located in Francorchamps, Belgium. Given Belgium’s small size, it is relatively close to the western border of Germany and the northern border of Luxembourg.

The Spa-Francorchamps is the present longest track on the Formula 1 calendar, featuring 19 turns and notable corners like Eau Rouge. It is also one of the most exciting races on the F1 grid. While this race is no longer a permanent fixture in the upcoming Formula 1 seasons, it remains a favorite for motorsport enthusiasts and drivers alike.

Planning Your Spa-Francorchamps F1 Trip: Accommodations and Travel

As this was my first Formula 1 Grand Prix, I went with my friend and motorsport fan Eric.

We decided to go to the race at the last minute, so all local hotels had been booked by then. We decided to book an Airbnb in the Belgian countryside just outside of St Vith, about a 30-minute drive from the track. We also chose to turn this into a multi-city trip starting in Luxembourg.

Wooden staircase beside rustic white building, leading to a lush garden with stone path, greenery, and trees under a cloudy sky.

In Luxembourg, we chose to spend a day exploring the city center, enjoying some local wines and a few nibbles; shoutout to the delicious charcuterie board we enjoyed, and wandering a few shops. Overall, it was a perfect place to walk around and explore for just a few hours, as it is such a small city. After deciding we were done, we got back into our rental car in the parking garage and continued our journey to rural Belgium.

The drive was straightforward: using our GPS, we briefly crossed through the German border and back into Belgium. Although the parking was hard to find and the Airbnb was quite far from any shops, restaurants or even gas stations, it was beautifully rustic.

I will note that the majority of the people in our small town did not know much English; most only spoke German, and some spoke French, which both Eric and I could fortunately speak. At the race, though, language barriers were not an issue.

Formula 1 race track with packed grandstands under a clear blue sky. Advertisement banners read "Qatar Airways." Lush greenery surrounds the track.

Spa-Francorchamps F1 Experience: Navigating the Circuit and Fan Zone

At the race, we had prepaid for parking, but the parking was located over a mile from the track entrance. Once in, we had another long walk from the main entrance to our grandstands at turn 8. We passed the fan zone, which had a lot of fun activities: There were DJs, fan events from the teams, bars, and food and merchandise stands. We spent a decent bit of time here, especially during F2 practice, since it had a gorgeous view of Eau Rouge.

One notable thing about Spa Weekend is that it often rains. So the walk through heavily forested areas in the rain was muddy and slick. If you are someone who hasn’t been to a Grand Prix and plan on going, remember these tracks are massive, so keep in mind how far you are able/willing to walk when buying your passes, and check out the track maps while also remembering where the ‘good’ racing tends to take place.

We definitely got rained on during the qualifications and race, so pack and dress accordingly. Even with the race taking place in mid-July I found myself freezing at times, so I was especially grateful that I had packed my Ferrari jacket. Forza Ferrari!

Person holds fries with mayo at a racetrack event. Crowd in the background under a canopy, mood is lively. Racing track visible ahead.

Food, Drinks, and Merchandise: Making the Most of Spa Weekend

There is definitely plenty to eat and drink scattered around the whole track, and I recommend arriving early to take advantage of all the circuit has to offer. On day one, I had a delicious French hot dog, a hot dog in a hollowed-out baguette, that I still think about.

Along the walk were also plenty of activities, especially in the fan zone, which had a lot of the specialized merchandise stands, a stage, a Ferris wheel, and at times even a live DJ!

I recommend taking your time to browse all of the merchandise stands, but also don’t wait too long to buy something you like. Originally, I waited on buying anything as I wanted to find something I love at a smaller merchandise stand, but I eventually bought a Ferrari quarter-zip I had held out on. I was relieved to find it on day one, I saw a black Ferrari cap I had chosen to wait to buy, but when I went back to the Ferrari stand, it was sold out. I eventually found it again months later in Rome, where I could finally buy it, so don’t make my mistake!

Why Seeing Formula One Live Is Unforgettable

Another highlight of finally seeing a Formula 1 Grand Prix in person is really getting to see just how talented the drivers are. It’s easy to watch a screen and hear the speeds and obstacles they face, but to see it for yourself is truly another experience. The speed these athletes can withstand is something your mind cannot comprehend until it’s right in front of you. Once you see a chicane, a series of low-speed corners, or an overtake, you gain a deeper level of love and respect for the sport overall.

While I am not lucky enough to have any plans to go to another grand prix at the moment, I can’t wait for the time I can make my way to another race weekend. Whether it be Spa, Silverstone, Abu Dhabi, or another track, I know the moment will truly be a special one.