It is Spa, everyone knows it… and yet many drivers attack in the wrong place, wasting a lot of time in the process.
Passing is safe almost everywhere, but there are corners where it makes no tactical sense to attack under normal circumnstances.
Turn 1 Right, La Source– This is not a great passing spot during the race, because your opponent will be able to get a tow and pass you back easily on the Kemmel straight. However, the corner itself is safe for passing; just avoid dive bombs.
It is the last corner of the race on the ‘classic’ configuration, which makes it an ideal passing place for the last lap.
Turn 3,4,5 ; Eau Rouge complex– Very dangerous spot and tactical suicide. There is no reason to attack here, ever. Just sit behind and pass with the tow on the following Kemmel straight.
Ideally, you can manage the gap to the car in front so that you can be flat out through the Eau Rouge and pass just after that. You will be able to pass on the Kemmel straight even if you have to lift behind the other car at the Eau Rouge, but it is not ideal.
Turn 7 Left, Les Combes – Best passing spot on the track. Just avoid late dives and unnecessary 3-4 wide attacks. Leave sufficient space for side by side driving through the corners. If you are being passed, it is often best to give up without defending hard. It wastes less time and, if you have the same pace as your opponent, you will be able to easily get the position back.
Turn 10 Right, Bruxelles– braking into a slow corner, it is safe to go side by side here. However, it is very difficult to get a run on your opponent in the short straight leading to it. You may have a chance if they mess up the previous corners.
Turn 11 Left (no name) and 12 Left (Pouhon)– No attacks here. Turn 11 is fast and narrow, side by side is dangerous and makes no tactical sense. Turn 12 is dangerous side by side, because the inside car tends to drift wide and collect the other, but it is above all a tactical suicide. Too much time lost with side by side here, no real reason to attempt it.
Turn 13 Right, Campus– yellow because side by side is doable, but it is difficult to get significant overlap before entering this corner. As above, you may attack if the other drivers makes a mistake. Otherwise just wait two corners for a massive, easy opportunity on the straight leading into the chicane.
Turn 15 and 16 Right, Stavelot – No passing here, it is tactical suicide. Side by side will cost you a ton of time. By contrast, follow your opponent in these corners and you will pass him easily on the following long straight.
The chicane– Good passing spot braking hard into the chicane, which is also the last corner of the race in the GP configuration. However, keep in mind that i) accidents are common either due to dive bombs or because drivers arrive faster than usual due to the draft and do not adjust their braking accordingly; braking references are also not obvious. ii) the chicane itself is narrow, and it costs a lot of time to do it side by side. It is often best to avoid defending when you are being attacked. Just follow the other driver and pass him back on the Kemmel straight.