F1 Spa Francorchamps 2025
After working as a press photographer for numerous races in various racing series, I recently went to a race as a spectator. It was for Formula 1 at Spa Francorchamps; the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. It had been three years since I'd been on assignment photographing there. And I really wanted to see Max and his friends in action again. Especially after all the rumors that Spa would disappear from the F1 calendar and Verstappen might move to Mercedes.
Both training days started for me in the Fan Zone. Drivers from various teams were interviewed on the podium. A great opportunity to see them in person. And sometimes they were even asked to play games, like coaching each other around the track blindfolded in the simulator.
Once along the track, it was, of course, time to capture the action. Armed with my folding stool and telephoto lens, I was able to capture some great shots despite the large fences, banners, and billboards that spectators often encounter. Spa remains one of the best circuits in Europe for this, and even at this GP, the rules are more relaxed than at others, where you're sometimes not even allowed to eat or drink, let alone bring a camera. For example, Nick and I stood on our stools at Eau Rouge to capture the start of the sprint race. And this is what it looks like from the sidelines: fans trying to catch a glimpse of the action on their phones, despite the banners obstructing the view.
Compared to other racing series, F1 is quite crowded with spectators. This means you're often stuck on the walkways. And when taking photos, you have to find your spot early. Otherwise, you'll end up at the back. But sometimes you just take advantage of that, shooting through the crowd for a colorful shot.
It's great to capture the cars again, especially since I managed to get a few different angles than in 2022. It's also nice to see Max win a race on Saturday.
Ultimately, I decided to skip the race on Sunday. This was due to the poor weather forecast, which was a repeat of 2021, when no racing took place. The track was also crowded, with dramatic traffic problems in the parking lots and absurd diversions to the highway after the training days. See the photos below.
