Formula One news

Belgian Grand Prix snapshot

Spa-Francorchamps has hosted 38 out of the 50 Belgian Grands Prix. Formula One has been held in Zolder ten times and in Nivelles twice. In 1920, the idea of taking advantage of the triangle formed by the roads connecting Malmedy, Stavelot and Francorchamps to make a racing track was born. 

By August 1921, track preparations had been completed. However, the circuit's inaugural event was not a car race but a motorcycle event due to a lack of interest. Cars eventually made their debut at Spa in 1922. 

1924 saw Spa host the first 24-hour race. That was followed by the first significant singleseater event in 1925, namely the European Grand Prix. Of the seven cars that took part, Antonio Ascari won in an Alfa Romeo. 

The Second World War brought an end to racing at Spa for seven years, up until 1947. 1970 witnessed the last race on the old course which, up to then, had been 14 kilometres long. Cars had become too fast for the track and drivers refused to accept the risks involved. The current circuit opened in 1979. 

In 2003, Spa did not host a Formula One race due to tobacco advertising restrictions. In the interim, modifications were carried out around the old Bus Stop chicane and the track was extended by ten metres. 

Other well-known features of the circuit, apart from Eau Rouge, are the fast Blanchimont section and La Source, the hairpin soon after the start which saw the biggest pile-up in Formula One history in 1998, fortunately without any injury to the drivers involved.

more news

• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
  • Encouraging news for Donington
• 02 Jan.
  • Di Resta still hopeful of F1 drive
  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
  • Hakkinen supports medals system
• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to join Madame Tussauds
  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit
• 26 Dec. '08
  • Montezemolo says KERS introduction is a mistake
• 25 Dec. '08
  • Season's greetings from GPUpdate.net
• 24 Dec. '08
  • Massa against proposed pay cut
  • Ferrari undecided over Schumacher future
  • Karthikeyan not interested in joining Force India
  • Mosley: Finding a successor won't be easy
  • Ecclestone won't split teams - Howett
  • Mosley may still try to continue
• 23 Dec. '08
  • WSR team Draco teams up with Force India
  • Howett: Ecclestone not able to split FOTA
  • Toyota committed to Formula 1

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