The NEW Changes at Circuit of Spa Francorchamps

In case you haven’t already read the first COVID-19 updates on the news of the website, lets run through the changes and what you should expect with your next visit at the Belgian F1 track.

Since Monday 8th June the 2nd phase of the relaxation measures in Belgium has taken place, meaning that professionals & trackday drivers are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel going slowly back to the old norm.

So let’s have a quick yet detailed rundown on all the updates…

The track is now asking for a full name list of all the participants from the organisers.

Each participant/visitor will then be given a unique QR code which will be needed in order to enter the track.

The track is very strict, stating that No QR code = No entrance to the track.

Yes, you read correct! Passengers are allowed again back in the car.
This update further extends to the point that passenger and driver do NOT have to be coming from the same household.

What this essentially means is that professional driving instructors/coaches can start working from inside the car again and that trackday drivers can get the occasional friend along with them on track.

NOTE: The use of a balaclava (head protective under helmet cloth) is mandatory.

The number of the people accompanying a car is now updated and restricted to 4.
This includes the drivers of the cars and any staff that comes with it.

This is not a big deal breaker for privateers with normal trackday cars but could be a potential limitation for bigger teams who run a big pit crew and more than one driver.

For those of you who have visited the modern F1 paddock of the Belgian track, you should have a good idea of how those modern boxes can easily fit even up to 5 cars.

Of course in their try to keep in effect all social distancing measures ,the government officials have limited the maximum amount of cars inside a pitbox to 2.

And following the above example of 4 people/car, that brings the maximum amount of people inside a pitbox to 8.

The track is also warning that these numbers will be strictly monitored and any deviation will not be tolerated.

Following again the two updates above and since no more than 8 people are allowed inside a pitbox, the existence of grand hospitality areas is now not possible.

No gathering of such sort is allowed during any trackday event.
No couches, Simrigs to gather around, food stalls and juice bars! Unfortunately!

Yet, some of the organisers do keep a small part of a whole pitbox running with all catering necessities for their customers to take away.
A very good idea and adaption based on the new rules if you ask me.

It might sound a bit harsh in the beginning but it is not so absurd if you give it some better thought.

Bad news for kids or for people who are thinking of walking around the paddock investigating or taking pictures of all the cool metal but not too much of a limitation for the drivers themselves.

Watching at the numbers allowed on a trackday, the track is setting a limit of 300 people max.

Priority of course goes to cars/drivers and that could potentially mean forbidding/withdrawing entrance admittance to extra staff, friends, passengers if those max numbers are reached.

The use of a mask is mandatory at all times except when driving.

This is frequently checked throughout the day and notices are given if caught doing otherwise.

The track warns that if this is not respected, people might get banned from the premises.