Motor Racing: Beware the red peril; Drivers gear up for the corner

TWENTY-TWO drivers brace themselves to face the most fearsome challenge in Formula One today.

They will tell you the home of the Belgian Grand Prix is the last true monster circuit on a tour where too many tracks have had their teeth drawn.

And the supreme test of skill and nerve is Eau Rouge (red water in French), a corner that has a place in racing folklore.

Drivers plunge down a hill to the corner, flick left, then right, and climb up the steep gradient at the other side. The very brave take it flat in sixth gear - at almost 180mph.

But they know, if they make the slightest mistake, Eau Rouge will savage them.

Jacques Villeneuve and Riccardo Zonta both got it wrong in practice yesterday and were lucky to escape serious injury.

The Canadian, often a critic of "tame" F1 circuits, raves: "Eau Rouge is a brilliant corner, and hopefully I can take it flat today.

"When you complete a lap here you feel you've really done something."

Championship leader Eddie Irvine said: "It's the most exciting corner of the season. When you can take it flat it is the kind of thrill F1 is all about."

At 4.33 miles Spa is the longest circuit in Formula One, a sweeping, rising, tumbling road course through the forests of the Ardennes.

Last year's winner Damon Hill knows a healthy respect for the monster is essential. He said: "There is a macho thing about driving this circuit,

especially Eau Rouge, and it certainly sorts the men from the boys.

"But it's not the kind of place where you can afford to take liberties - as we saw last year when Villeneuve and Salo crashed."

The drivers admit they're worried about their safety on some of the corners. Run-off areas and barriers are constantly being revised.

But everybody agrees these corners are an endangered species in Formula One and must be protected.

Johnny Herbert said: "This is the last circuit of its kind and no driver or race fan wants to see it go. While we have always got to put safety first we must not lose the character of the place or the corners.

"Eau Rouge is simply the greatest."

CONSTRUCTORS' CH'SHIP

1 Ferrari 94pts

2 McLaren 90

3 Jordan 42

4 Williams 22

5 Benetton 16

6 Stewart 14

7 Sauber 4

8 Prost 3

9 Arrows 1

DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP

1 E Irvine Ferrari 56pts

2 M Hakkinen McLaren 54

3 H-H Frentzen Jordan 36

4 D Coulthard McLaren 36

5 M Schumacher Ferrari 32

6 R Schumacher Williams 22

7 G Fisichella Benetton 13

8 R Barrichello Stewart 12

9 M Salo Ferrari 6

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