Formula 1 big picture is a feature designed to showcase a side of a dramatic, visual sport that television cannot always portray.

Over the last 20 years, Darren Heath has carved a reputation as one of F1's most original photographers.

This is Darren's story behind his latest image:

"Spa, majestic Spa.

"When shooting at a circuit many believe to be the finest we visit during the Formula 1 season it's always something of a challenge to capture the nature of the place as the ribbon of Tarmac winds it's way up, down and along the heavily forested valley in which it sits.

"Personally the venue for this year's Belgian Grand Prix has never been one of my favourite places at which to work. Surprisingly for such a long lap there are precious few good photographic vantage points. Those that there are sit at opposite ends of the circuit making coverage of events on track hard to capture.

"Coupled with a climate that seems to be perpetually winter-like Spa presents quite a challenge.

"I've tried in the shot above to give a feel of the track and the environment in which it's located whilst attempting to invoke memories of a time decades past when dusty heroes raced unsafe cars on even unsafer circuits that one can only marvel at in the often over sanitised world in which we now live.

"Just imagine what the original 14km-long Spa must have been like as the heroes of yesteryear hurtled past the unprotected trees, barns and farm houses that lined the ultra-fast track.

"It makes one shiver..."

Camera: Canon EOS1DS Mark3 Lens: 600mm Exposure: 1/500th sec @ 7.1

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