Spa Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all?

Spa-Francorchamps stands out as the longest track on the sport's calendar but also as a circuit – like Monza – with an insatiable thirst for power.

Top speed is a handy asset for drivers on the Kemmel Straight, but the Ardennes track's 7-kilometer layout isn't merely a playground for sheer velocity.

Its unique combination of high-speed corners demands a delicate balance, especially when the rain decides to join the party.

As usual, teams must strike the perfect compromise between straight-line speed and downforce levels to conquer the challenging Ardennes circuit.

However, a perfect compromise - locked in after FP1 due to parc fermé rules - becomes a 'best guess' compromise when Spa's weather can't decide whether it should rain or shine.

One will also note that Spa's speed trap readings in qualifying were taken – rather oddly – just a few hundred yards after the top of Raidillon, not at the end of the Kemmel straight.

With that in mind, Lewis Hamilton topping the numbers confirms the Mercedes driver's positive comments regarding the pace of his W14 this weekend in Spa, with the Briton running a lower downforce rear wing compared to teammate George Russell's 'barn door' element.

Read also:

• Tech take: A rundown of the teams' updates for Spa

Friday's poleman Max Verstappen exited Raidillon in qualifying 5 kph slower than Hamilton, but the Dutchman's RB19 more than made up for that slight deficit, ending its flyer once again with a comfortable advantage over its rivals.

Regardless of the weather on Sunday, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, Max is likely to run away with a 45th career win, even with the handicap of a five-place grid drop due to a gearbox change.

But behind the flying Dutchman, anything goes, with Hamilton seemingly well-placed to claim his third runner-up spot of the season. But others will be lurking in the wings.

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