Formula 1 Belgium Grand Prix History
History - Facts - Winners - Schedule - Circuit
The Belgian Gran Prix is part of the F1 World Championship and the first race took place in 1925 at the Spa region’s race course and it was won by Antonio Ascari.
The Belgium track is very famous for its changeable weather conditions; rain is a very common factor at the event which makes it very slippery and unstable for the drivers; on the other hand sunny and clear weather is quite odd.
Many have agreed it is the most difficult and challenging race track on the F1 calendar. Back in 1972 it was declared unsafe and the Belgians decided to alternate their Grand Prix between Zolder and Nivelles-Baulers.
The well-remembered Emerson Fittipaldi won the first race at Nivelles and repeated his victory later in 1974. The following year the race was held at Zolder where Jackie Stewart won. Zolder track is known as the site were Gilles Villeneuve passed away in 1982.
In 1983 the Spa-Francorchamps; the first site where the races used to take place was reconstructed and in 1985 the Belgian Grand Prix returned to the track as in 1984 it was held for the last time at Zolder.
World Champion Michael Schumacher made his first appearance at the Spa in 1991 and won his first F1 race there in 1992.
Another important race was the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix due to the extreme weather conditions leading to a massive accident which involved 13 of 22 drivers in the first corner. The heavy rain and low visibility caused Michael Schumacher to run into the back of David Coulthard’s vehicle.
The Belgian Grand Prix was not part of the 2006 F1 season as announced by the FIA due to a major reconstruction to the Spa-Francorchamps but the event returned in 2007 where Kimi Räikkönen took home his 3rd Belgian Grand Prix in a row.
|