Belgian GP: Felipe Massa says Eau Rouge now easy
Felipe Massa believes Eau Rouge is no longer a great corner despite it being one of the most famous parts of any circuit in the world

The Brazilian, winner of the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix, believes that current Formula 1 cars mean it is less of a challenge for drivers.
"When I started in Formula 1 with the V10 it was always a more difficult corner to do," he said.
"On new tyres [it was] flat out, but most of the laps not flat out and a very tricky corner to do.
"Now it is flat out first lap and whatever tyres you have, you're doing that corner flat out so it's not a corner anymore, it's a straight.
"You have all the corners that are much more tricky now compared to Eau Rouge.
"This is the situation unfortunately because Eau Rouge was a great place to watch, a great corner, and now it's not for us driving."
Many drivers still rate Spa as one of the most challenging on the calendar even though Eau Rouge is no longer a challenge.
But although the track has several other fast, difficult corners - notably the long left-hander at Pouhon - Massa believes the track is not as enjoyable as it was during F1's V10 era, which he raced in from 2002-2005.
"You reduce a little bit the pleasure of driving Spa now it is with a V8 and in an easy car to do Eau Rouge flat out compared to the past when I was driving a V10," said Massa.

Previous article
Belgian GP: Fernando Alonso fastest in wet/dry first practice
Next article
Jenson Button thinks McLaren needs pressure of Spa F1 podium goal

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Felipe Massa |
Author | Edd Straw |
Belgian GP: Felipe Massa says Eau Rouge now easy
Trending
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How crucial marginal calls will decide the Red Bull vs Mercedes battle in F1 2021
The longer Red Bull can maintain a performance edge over Mercedes, the better the odds will be in the team’s favour against the defending world champions. But as the Bahrain Grand Prix showed, many more factors will be critical in the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his team-mate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen’s emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber team-mate’s own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here’s how Nick Heidfeld’s career was chilled by the Iceman