Season 2 of the V10 R-League is tantalisingly close to getting underway! We can't wait to see both new and old drivers ringing the necks of their cars out around the world's best tracks!
One of our favourite venues from Season 1 will be making a return for Season 2. Belgium's Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is back and we've got everything you need to know about it right here!
Kemmel conundrum
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is located in the picturesque Ardennes forests of Belgium. Spa is home to some of the most famous corners in motorsport and suits the GRS V10R '20 down to the ground.
One of the biggest takeaways from Season 1 was the amazing slipstream drivers were getting through the famous Eau Rouge/Raidillon and up the long Kemmel Straight.
Some teams were able to use it to their advantage, while others were left as sitting ducks.
Any team that picks Spa as their home circuit in Season 2 will need to master that part of the lap. It's not the only key part of the circuit though.
The drivers will take several of the high-speed corners around or above 200mph (320kph). Blanchimont, Pouhon, and of course, the flat-out left-right-left of Eau Rouge-Raidillon are all breath-taking corners.
Les Combes, La Source, and the Bus Stop will be the prime overtaking spots, but Spa's flowing middle sector invites wheel-to-wheel battles.
Despite its long length of over seven kilometres, a lap of Spa flies by due to its average speed of over 160mph (257kph).
Setup
While setups in the V10 R-League are fixed, there are still a few things teams can play with to adjust the balance and handling of the car.
The middle sector is also high-speed but is comprised mainly of medium to high-speed corners. You would think that means more wing angle, but that's not the optimum way.
In general, the teams opt for low downforce, as ultimate straight-line speed in king in Spa. Plus, if a driver falls behind a car with lower wing angles, it's almost impossible to get back past.
Strategy
Head-to-head contests have been removed for Season 2, so only the Relay and Team races are left. This won't change the strategy a great deal though, as we'll still see last-minute dives down the inside to try and win the races.
The key to being quick at Spa is choosing the correct lines through the low-speed corners to set you up for the high-speed sections. A bad exit from La Source will cost you time all the way up to Les Combes.
Qualifying is always interesting in the V10 R-League, but quali at Spa is even more so. This is because this is actually one of the few circuits where starting second or third is better than pole.
For the relay and team races, it's very hard to keep the car behind you in the rear mirrors up to Les Combes. If that happens, the car ahead going into sector two will have a massive advantage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eZDAfPm98s
The same goes for passing into La Source, it's not advisable, especially if the driver behind needs to take the tight line. So, passing is simple in Spa but staying ahead is very difficult.
Tyre wear isn't usually a big problem at Spa, but drivers can overcook the fronts if they push too hard through the middle sector.
It's not always the case that the fastest team wins in Spa. The deciding factor usually boils down to which drivers have the smarts and experience to take advantage of the tracks unique characteristics.
How to watch Season 2
The second season of the V10 R-League will begin in April and be shown in more countries than ever before!
Season 1 went down a treat, and ESPN will be expanding its coverage of the V10 R-League for Season 2. ESPN will be showing the R-League in the US, as well as Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Oceania for the first time!
BT Sport will continue air Season 2 in the UK, while StarzPlay will carry the series in the Middle East and North Africa.