Belgium hosts Round 9 of the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship, and the Invicta Racing team looks to continue its run of eight consecutive podiums in as many rounds.
Now firmly in the second half of the 2024 season, the team descends on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium with Gabriel Bortoleto just 30 points shy of the summit of the standings, Kush Maini fresh off the back of his first win in the series, and Invicta Racing leading the Team's Championship.
The iconic 7km circuit lies nestled in the Ardennes forest and is well regarded as the ultimate driver's circuit. Its layout of fast-flowing corners and long straights is particularly punishing for cars lacking downforce and balance. Skill and bravery are among the other pieces of the jigsaw required to master Spa-Francorchamps.
Track notes
A fiddly slow-speed right-hander opens the lap at La Source and marks the start of a lengthy full-throttle period that lasts from the exit of Turn 1, through Eau Rouge and Raidillon and along the Kemmel Straight. Finally breaking at the fast chicane of Les Combes, a right-hander at Malmedy is followed by another at Bruxelles separated by a short straight.
Now rapidly descending the hill, the left-hander of Turn 11 is deceptively simple on entry, but an unforgiving gravel trap awaits on the exit. Opening into a natural amphitheatre, a long left-hander at Pouhon has become the ultimate challenge of modern Spa and feeds into a short straight before the esses of Turns 13, 14 and 15.
Another lengthy flat-out stint begins at Turn 16, as does Sector 3. The flat-out left-hander at Blanchimont is a test of nerve and skill but the chicane before the start/finish straight can make or break a lap. Misjudge your braking by only a fraction, and a lock-up, the run-off area or even a clumsy spin awaits. Get it right, and you have completed a lap of one of the world's most challenging circuits.
Team formbook
Gabriel Bortoleto's highlight at Spa was back in 2022, when he won Race 2 of the Formula Regional European Championship there, while Kush Maini recorded a best result of eighth in the 2023 F2 Feature Race.
Invicta Racing has won the Feature Race two years in succession at Spa with Jack Doohan taking the flag first on both occasions.
Memorable moment
In cold, damp conditions in 2023, Jack Doohan made use of the right tyre at the right time, and with a late-race Safety Car, managed to climb from 11th on the grid to a remarkable first at the chequered flag.
Team Principal Andy Roche
“Spa has been a happy hunting ground for the team in the past two years, so naturally we're carrying some confidence into this round. We're in great shape in both championships after the last few rounds as well, but we can't get complacent. We need to keep pushing to maintain our lead in the Teams' Championship and close in on the top two in the Drivers' standings."
All local times CEST (UTC +2). Follow Invicta Racing for updates throughout the weekend.
Live timing for all sessions can be found here.
