A Brief History of Memorable Belgian Grands Prix
The Belgian Grand Prix, a staple of the Formula 1 calendar since its inception in 1950, has showcased remarkable races since its first event in 1925. Below are five standout editions that highlight the race’s rich history.
1992: Schumacher’s Strategic Triumph
Michael Schumacher achieved his first Formula 1 victory at the 1992 Belgian GP. After an early downswing in qualifying, a rain-soaked race saw him gamble on slick tires three laps before competitors like Nigel Mansell. His timing paid off as he surged from behind to win, securing a 36-second lead despite car troubles for Mansell. This victory marked the beginning of Schumacher’s dominance at Spa, where he would later claim a record six wins.
1998: Jordan’s Day Amid Chaos
The 1998 race is infamous for a massive pile-up triggered when David Coulthard lost control of his McLaren at La Source. Miraculously, all drivers emerged unscathed, although many were forced to restart the race in spare cars. After Mika Hakkinen’s early exit, Damon Hill capitalized and took the lead. A misjudgment by Schumacher resulted in a collision with Coulthard, eliminating both drivers and allowing Hill to secure a historic victory for Jordan, his first win in F1.
2008: Raikkonen’s Last-Lap Drama
In a pivotal race of the championship, Lewis Hamilton faced a fierce battle against Kimi Raikkonen. After losing the lead early, Hamilton regained his place but was penalized post-race for gaining an unfair advantage during an overtaking maneuver, resulting in a third-place finish. Raikkonen initially crossed the line first, but the dramatic turn of events revealed the race’s complexity amid changing conditions.
2019: Leclerc’s Emotional Victory
The 2019 Belgian GP carried heavy emotions as it followed the tragic loss of Anthoine Hubert at the F2 race. Charles Leclerc, a close friend of Hubert, claimed pole position and held strong under pressure from Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton to secure his maiden victory. This poignant win served as a tribute to Hubert, with Leclerc pointing skyward in remembrance.
2021: The Historic Flop
The 2021 race gained notoriety as the first in F1 history without green-flag laps. Adverse weather conditions led to a race start comprised solely of safety car laps. Max Verstappen was declared the winner on countback after just one lap under the safety car, resulting in half points awarded—a decision that spurred criticisms and changes to future race regulations.
These editions of the Belgian Grand Prix exemplify the race’s unpredictable nature and its critical role in the F1 narrative, marking it as a fan-favorite venue known for its thrilling moments.
