This year’s Belgian Grand Prix, held at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, will be the 59th time that the race has appeared on the F1 calendar.
It is one of three tracks (the other two being Nivelles and Zolder) to have hosted the event. Both the old and new layouts have produced some classic F1 moments. Here are just a few.
For more on the Belgian Grand Prix, check out my preview and track guide.
Mayhem
The 1998 race is best-remembered for two reasons, and both of them involved David Coulthard. The first is the huge lap one pile-up that was caused by the Scot spinning at the exit of La Source. With torrential rain making visibility extremely poor, there was nothing the chasing pack could do to avoid the damaged McLaren.
In total 13 drivers were involved and the race was stopped for over an hour, before eventually restarting. Conditions were still treacherous as race leader Michael Schumacher approached Coulthard to lap him on the 24th tour.
He slowed down to let him through on the run to Pouhon but was still on the racing line. Schumacher failed to see him and ran into the back of Coulthard. The Ferrari driver was out of the race, with Coulthard managing to continue – albeit five laps down following repairs.
As a new rear wing was fitted, Schumacher angrily stormed towards the McLaren pit garage to confront Coulthard, but the two drivers were quickly separated. Damon Hill went on to win the race, the first for Jordan, with his team-mate Ralf Schumacher in second.
One of the best overtakes in F1 history?
Mika Hakkinen’s overtake for the lead on lap 41 of the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix is one of the most iconic in Formula 1. The McLaren driver chased down Michael Schumacher after an earlier spin to move ahead of his rival on the inside, while also lapping a backmarker in the process.
Hamilton vs. Raikkonen
The 2008 Belgian Grand Prix saw Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen battle intensely for the race lead in the closing stages, as light rain fell over the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Both were on slicks as the track got more and more slippery.
Hamilton missed the chicane as he attempted a move with three laps to go and handed the place back, before diving up the inside at La Source. After swapping positions several times, Raikkonen eventually spun and crashed out at the exit of Blanchimont.
Hamilton took the chequered flag in first place and celebrated the victory, but he was later given a 25-second time penalty for crossing the chicane and dropped to third, giving Felipe Massa the win.
Attack of RoGro
Who can forget turn one of the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix? Romain Grosjean made a huge misjudgement on the run to La Source, cutting across Hamilton. The Brit ran into the back of Grosjean and the two out-of-control cars collided with Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez.
Kamui Kobayashi and Pastor Maldonado were also caught up in the chaos. Grosjean was handed a one-race ban for causing the crash, but has since turned his reputation around.
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| © Octane Photographic |
For more on the Belgian Grand Prix, check out my preview and track guide.
Mayhem
The 1998 race is best-remembered for two reasons, and both of them involved David Coulthard. The first is the huge lap one pile-up that was caused by the Scot spinning at the exit of La Source. With torrential rain making visibility extremely poor, there was nothing the chasing pack could do to avoid the damaged McLaren.
In total 13 drivers were involved and the race was stopped for over an hour, before eventually restarting. Conditions were still treacherous as race leader Michael Schumacher approached Coulthard to lap him on the 24th tour.
He slowed down to let him through on the run to Pouhon but was still on the racing line. Schumacher failed to see him and ran into the back of Coulthard. The Ferrari driver was out of the race, with Coulthard managing to continue – albeit five laps down following repairs.
As a new rear wing was fitted, Schumacher angrily stormed towards the McLaren pit garage to confront Coulthard, but the two drivers were quickly separated. Damon Hill went on to win the race, the first for Jordan, with his team-mate Ralf Schumacher in second.
One of the best overtakes in F1 history?
Mika Hakkinen’s overtake for the lead on lap 41 of the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix is one of the most iconic in Formula 1. The McLaren driver chased down Michael Schumacher after an earlier spin to move ahead of his rival on the inside, while also lapping a backmarker in the process.
Hamilton vs. Raikkonen
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| © Ferrari |
Hamilton missed the chicane as he attempted a move with three laps to go and handed the place back, before diving up the inside at La Source. After swapping positions several times, Raikkonen eventually spun and crashed out at the exit of Blanchimont.
Hamilton took the chequered flag in first place and celebrated the victory, but he was later given a 25-second time penalty for crossing the chicane and dropped to third, giving Felipe Massa the win.
Attack of RoGro
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| © Octane Photographic |
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| © Octane Photographic |
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