Toyota’s chassis chief Pascal Vasselon expects Spa’s legendary Eau Rouge corner to be negotiated comfortably flat-out at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix despite the reduced downforce of the 2009 cars.
The rollercoaster-like left-right-left sequence is Formula 1’s most celebrated corner and the visual highlight of the 4.35-mile circuit in the Ardennes forests.
But steady increases in tyre performance and downforce have blunted its challenge, and the once-daunting swerves have routinely been taken flat-out for several years.
There were hopes that aerodynamic restrictions introduced this year would restore Eau Rouge to its former status as F1’s ultimate test of bravery, but Vasselon believes that is unlikely to be the case.
“I have to say it has lost a bit of its magic now that it is easily flat-out,” he said.
“We expect it to remain flat-out in the dry this season even considering the aerodynamic changes, largely because the slick tyres compensate for the loss of downforce with increased grip.”
“It is no longer a place where you could win or lose a second a lap as could have been the case in the past before it was flat-out.”
He added that from a lap time perspective, Eau Rouge has now become little more than a kink in what is in effect an extremely long straight from La Source to the top of the hill at Les Combes – although the big compression requires careful tuning of the suspension and ride height. ITV
For drivers Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, the exhilarating Spa track makes the Belgian Grand Prix one of the highlights of the year.
“Spa is a fantastic track and definitely my favourite in F1,” said Trulli, who will start round 12 holding eighth place in the drivers’ championship.
“It is a real driver’s circuit and that suits me perfectly. There is almost every type of corner, so all the way around the lap you are challenged and I love that.
“Every time you drive around Spa it is amazing but I have to say it was special to get pole position there a few years ago.”
Glock agreed: “Along with Monaco, Spa is my favourite circuit.
“To drive a Formula One car around it is a fantastic experience and it’s one of the best feelings you can have in this sport. It’s one of those circuits you dream about racing on when you are growing up; it’s just a very impressive track. Yahoo! Eurosport
| 
|