- GB3 Championship heads to Belgium for only non-British round of 2022
- Granfors keen for maiden outing at legendary Grand Prix track
The Belgian Grand Prix ranks among motorsport’s absolute classics. This weekend, Joel Granfors will get his first-ever taste of the venue that’s made the challenging Formula 1 race a favourite with fans and drivers alike: the daunting Spa-Francorchamps in the heart of the Ardennes forest.
The only GB3 round outside of the UK takes the championship to one of racing’s most famous arenas. The challenges posed by the 7.004 km Spa circuit – the longest on the entire calendar – include the high-speed Eau Rouge, Pouhon and Blanchimont sweepers, all taken at roughly 250 km/h in GB3 machinery.
TRACK GUIDE: Spa-Francorchamps
Add an infamous micro climate, with instant weather changes and sudden downpours, and it’s easy to see how Spa-Francorchamps – with its 100 years of history – has staged some of motorsport’s most iconic races.
“Spa will be something very special, and it’s definitely the one track I’ve been looking forward to the most this year in GB3,” says Joel Granfors. “I’ve driven it a lot on the sim and I really, really like it, but I’ve never been there yet in real life. It has a bit of everything: long straights, fast corners, hairpins… The racing is going to be great with lots of slipstreaming. I can’t wait to hit the track.”
Granfors enters the weekend in Belgium sitting second in the GB3 standings, just behind current leader Luke Browning. Spa marks the beginning of the second half of the season, with four rounds (12 races) remaining in the intensifying title fight.
GUIDE: GB3 Championship – how it works
“Luke and I have opened up a small gap at the top of the standings, but it’s still early days,” Joel Granfors continues. “I know it’s all open at this stage, but of course my plan is to retain the championship lead. Let’s see how we go at Spa, which is a bit of an unknown, but clearly we’ve had good pace all year and I’m aiming to win every weekend.”
Practice at Spa begins on Friday, which also features qualifying. The first two races of the weekend take place on Saturday, with the concluding heat – the reverse-grid Race 3 – due on Sunday.
Live streaming is available for all races throughout the entire season. Streaming will be accessible through the GB3 website and social platforms, as well as directly from the start page at www.joelgranfors.com.