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Francorchamps: The Avatar of Formula 1

OK, you could say we are speaking with a certain bias, but here goes:

Is André Maes to F1 what James Cameron is to cinema? Realizing humdrum his programme is, week after week, has Bernie Ecclestone found the “director” ready to revolutionise the F1 universe with GPs in 4D? This is undeniably a very real question as of our Belgian Grand Prix. While the championship is certainly exciting, we’d never had as hot a weekend before Francorchamps. Here’s the secret recipe:

The first dimension is this magical valley, a lush, green theatre carved into the brilliant Ardennes. The pictures beamed round the world were simply breathtaking! The location manager went overboard with panoramic shots, helicopter views and cameras hung from giant cranes some 60 metres overhead. It’s only in Belgium, here in Wallonia, that F1 can set the small screen on fire like that.

The second dimension is this magical circuit. Sure, there are trees, greenery—the complete opposite of those mirage-filled expanses of sand, but most importantly there’s our perfect track. A meticulously trimmed, precisely defined green, lines and rumble strips in an impeccable red and white, finely combed gravel traps. Hats off to the circuit’s technical team!

The third dimension is recorded in the history books. More than ever, Formula 1 meets its prestigious past at Francorchamps. “The Spa race is one of the toughest on the calendar, and I’m thrilled to be able to say that I won here,” confided Hamilton. “I love racing so much, it’s in my blood, and this was a beauty of a race, on a legendary circuit.” Only the great champions have dominated the Ogre of the Ardennes. The foreign press is right on point! The spectacle at Francorchamps is always over the top spectacle. Here, even rain is fun for the fans of the big show. They know that at Francorchamps, there’s always something happening. And the legend got a little bit bigger again this weekend.

The fourth dimension is the one every promoter of the season dreams of: an ambiance far from the quiet calm of a nap settling in. Not on the Sunday of the Belgian Grand Prix. After it’s over, there are still mind-blowing shots, feats one after another, spectacular wrecks and explosive expressions of disappointment. When they arrived in the Ardennes, Mark, Lewis, Sebastian, Jenson and Fernando were dreaming of the supreme coronation. Just twenty points separated them! But when they boarded their private jet Sunday night in Bierset, the ticker had spun wildly to a 41-point gap. “Singin’ in the Rain”…only Lewis and Mark had made the pick for the Avatar of the Ardennes forests.

Let’s hope this spectacular production of the 2010 Belgian Grand Prix in amazing 4D technology will have convinced Mr E to pursue his negotiations with the Wallonia government and its representatives. Formula 1 simply cannot forgo such a circuit, such a spectacle, such a race.

We warned you, we’re a little biased…

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