The Belgian round marks the end of the summer break for European Le Mans Series competitors and kicks off the second half of the season. It is the longest track of the year, covering seven kilometers in a clockwise direction and featuring 19 turns. Currently second in the championship, just one point behind the leader, we can count on the #18 crew to try to reverse the trend. As for Paul Lafargue, Job Van Uitert and Paul-Loup Chatin, the trio who have been unlucky in the first three races, they will do everything they can to make the red and black colors shine, especially since the performance is there.
With its unusual layout featuring slow and fast corners, hairpins bends taken at 70 km/h, steep gradients that follow the local terrain, and long straights where speeds can exceed 320 km/h, this Belgian stage is as challenging as it is unmissable.
Regardless of the car the driver is racing in, everyone agrees that the Raidillon is a piece of history, an accelerator of risk and emotion. The name may not be impressive, but the sequence itself is pure madness. A veritable 240-meter wall with a gradient of almost 17% and a 24-meter drop, it is climbed at over 300 km/h after a descent into a killer curve: the Eau Rouge corner. The added bonus ? The climb is tackled almost blind.
Even if some corners seem easier now, because of greater aerodynamic support, such as the Eau Rouge corner, which can be taken at full speed, the Raidillon remains unique, as do the spectacular Pouhon and Blanchimont corners.
Nicolas Minassian, Team Principal
“I’m very happy to be back at Spa. I love this circuit, which is great fun to drive but also offers lots of possibilities in terms of strategy and car setup. We’re clearly approaching this race weekend with the aim of scoring big points, both in the 28 and the 18. The drivers and the team have worked hard, both on strategy and performance. Maximum attack.”
Job Van Uitert, driver of #28 alongside Paul Lafargue & Paul-Loup Chatin
“Spa is like a home race for me. I’m from the Netherlands, so I always have lots of friends and family coming to watch me, which gives me an extra boost. The circuit is a great mix of speed and technique-corners like Eau Rouge and Blanchimont are always special to negotiate. To prepare, I’ve been cycling a lot to stay physically fit and took a few days off to be mentally fresh for the weekend. The results so far don’t reflect our potential, but the atmosphere within the team is good and we remain focused. We know what we’re capable of and we give our all in every race.”
Mathys Jaubert, driver of #28 with Jamie Chadwick & Dani Juncadella
“I know the Spa circuit well, having raced there twice this season in the Porsche Cup. It’s a circuit I enjoy because it’s fast and legendary. I’ve never raced there in a prototype before, so I’ll have to adapt my driving style. I’m looking forward to arriving at this meeting with my teammates and the IDEC SPORT team, especially after the weekend at Imola, which wasn’t the best weekend for us, with the desire to bounce back and fight for the title until the end.”
A real festival on the track awaits the 40-strong team based in Signes.
