For the first time in its three-year history, the Formula 3 Euro Series is going to contest a race at the Belgium GP venue, Spa-Francorchamps. Yet, the 23 drivers on the grid of the young-gun series had the chance of already adapting to the challenging 6.968-kilometre Ardennes rollercoaster during the first official pre-season tests, held in March. During these tests, Lewis Hamilton (ASM F3, Dallara Mercedes) and Lucas di Grassi (Manor Motorsport, Dallara-Mercedes) succeeded in setting the fastest lap times on day one and two respectively, with Briton Hamilton, the current championship leader, having been the overall quickest during two days of testing. Paul di Resta (Manor Motorsport, Dallara-Mercedes) and Franck Perera (Prema Powerteam, Dallara-Opel) also succeeded in setting top timers, in the tests at Spa, but in the first four rounds of the 2005 Formula Euro series season, they failed to secure a top result.

With four rounds completed, Lewis Hamilton scored 37 points, clinched three pole positions and three wins, while James Rossiter (Signature-Plus, Dallara-Opel), who has got 26 points on his tally, turned out to be his strongest competitor. But thanks to his two podium finishes gained at Pau’s narrow street circuit, Loïc Duval (Signature-Plus, Dallara-Opel) has reduced the gap to his team-mate to just one point. In the rookie rankings, Guillaume Moreau (Signature, Opel-Dallara) succeeded in displacing previous leader Sebastian Vettel (Mücke Motorsport) by finishing fourth in his home race at the foot of the Pyrenees, thus grabbing his best result in the season so far. After four rounds, ASM F3 is leading the team rankings with 52 points, with Signature-Plus (51) close behind.

Adrian Sutil (ASM F3): "To race at Spa is big fun. There a slow and fast turns, and a long straight where you may experience thrilling slipstream battles. I expect close racing. My car will be equipped with a new brake system for Spa that will improve its brake performance. This should help me to hopefully grab my first Formula 3 euro Series win, at Spa."

Track length: 6.976 kilometres
Lap record: 2:14.810 minutes / Takuma Sato 2001
2004 winners: not contested

The Formula 3 Euro Series is covered live in Germany, France and the Czech Republic.

Live coverage times (CET): Saturday, 14th May Sunday, 15th May
Premiere (D) 12:30 – 13:10 hrs 11:40 – 12:20 hrs
Sport+ 12:30 – 13:15 hrs 11:40 – 12:15 hrs
Galaxy TV (CZ) 12:35 – 13:15 hrs 11:45 – 12:15 hrs