The Spa-Francorchamps circuit was built in the Ardennes Hills in 1921 incorporating public roads. It was used for Motorcyle races until 1925 when the Belgian Grand Prix was first contested. Famed and feared, Spa is one of the most respected and well loved tracks by fans - drivers not so much. It is known for rain, and at one point there was rain on race day for 20 straight Belgian Grands Prix.
In 1972, Spa was deemed too dangerous and was dropped from the Formula One schedule. The Belgian Grand Prix then alternated between Zolder and Nivelles-Baulers. The latter proved to be a dull, uninspiring track. So after holding two Belgian Grands Prix, both won by Emmerson Fittipaldi, Nivelles-Baulers was dropped also. Zolder would host the Grand Prix for the next 9 years.
In 1983, a rebuilt Spa-Francorchamps returned to the schedule. Zolder held the race once more in 1984 but after that, Spa became the permanent home for the Belgian Grand Prix. It was dropped from the schedule again in 2003 and 2006 but, after another revamp, returned in 2007.
The original Spa circuit entirely consisted of public roads that ran between the Belgian towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot. These towns are commemorated by corners named after them on the modern circuit. The course was roughyl 15km (9.3 miles) long, and formed a roughly triangular shape. the first Belgian Grand Prix was held at Spa in 1924.
Early on in the history of the track, a slow hairpin at the bottom of the hill after La Source was replaced with a downhill/uphill right/left kink. These two corners were called Eau Rouge and Raidillon and persist to this day. This fearsome combination of corners (which is frequently referred to as just Eau Rouge) is one of the most challenging corners on a motor racing circuit in the world.
An equally, if not more, challenging corner was the Masta Kink - a high speed chicane in the middle of the Masta Straight. The kink was ferocious, and was the scene of many nasty accidents over the years. Indeed, with high top speeds, fast kinks, and sweeping corners, Spa was not only one of the most challenging courses in the world but one of the most dangerous.
The first Grand Prix of Belgium in 1925 was won by Antonio Ascari, father of future World Champion Alberto Ascari. Below are some photos of him that day.
The 1935 Grand Prix of Belgium was the first race of the newly formed European World Championship. Seen below is the Mercedes of Rudy Caracciola leading Jean-Pierre Wimille in a Bugatti and Rene Dryfus in an Alfa-Romeo. Caracciola would go on to take the win.
In 1939 Spa had been reconfigured and the cars went through the now famous Eau Rouge for the first time. Of course, there was pouring rain that day. It would be the last Belgian Grand Prix until after the end of World War 2.
The Belgium Grand Prix would return in 1946, being won by Eugne Chaboud in a Delage. Below is a photo of the 1947 race - Achille Varzi is shown leading the race. He would be caught and passed for the win by Jean-Pierre Wimille.
There was no race in 1948 but it would be held in 1949.
The Belgian Grand Prix would be a part the new World Championship for Drivers from it's inception in 1950. For the 1950 race, the course was modified and around 1 km (0.6 miles) of the circuit from Stavelot to Blanchimont was removed.
The 1960 event would be a terrible weekend at Spa as drivers Alan Stacy and Chris Bristow were killed, Mike Taylor suffered career ending injuries and Stirling Moss would crash, breaking both his legs. Seen below is Phil Hill, scoring a 4th place in that 1960 race. Jack Brabham would win in his cooper.
Below is a photo of the 1964 race. The Cooper of Bruce McLaren would run out of fuel near the finish line. He coasted to the line to almost take the win, but Jim Clark would pass him just a few feet from the finish to take another win.
The start of the 1965 race. Graham HIll leads Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Ritchie Ginther, Dan Gurney and John Surtees. Jim Clark would win for the 4th straight year.
At the 1966 race, a sudden downpour would catch the drivers off guard at the Burnenville section. 11 cars spun off, including Jackie Stewart. He was badly injured with a broken shoulder, cracked ribs and soaked with gasoline. Fellow drivers Graham Hill and Bob Bondurant would pull him from his car, and take him to a nearby farmhouse. Two nuns who lived there helped them care for Jackie until help could arrive.
A photo of Micheal Schumacher making his Formula One debut at Spa in 1991 driving a Jordan. Senna would win again and tie Jim Clarks record of 4 consecutive wins at Spa.
A pit fire for Eddie Irvine during an eventful 1995 race. He was unhurt. Micheal Schumacher would win, but be penalized for blocking Damon Hill and received a suspended one race ban. Aguri Suzuki would score a third place podium finish.
In the 1998 race Schumacher would run into David Couthard while lapping him, tearing off a front wheel. A perturbed Schumi would drive back to the pits on three wheels, and seek out DC to "consult" with him on the matter. Earlier, the race had been stopped and restarted after arguably the worst start to a Formula 1 race in history - David Coulthard lost control at the exit of La Source, and triggered a 13 car pile-up.
- A short Youtube Clip of the 1939 race
- A Youtube clip from the 1962 race
- Youtube clip from the movie Grand Prix, with some excellent shots of the old track.
- Youtube clip of the 1970 race
- A youtube clip of the 1985 race won by Ayrton Senna
- A youtube clip of the 1988 race won by Ayrton Senna