2024 Belgian GP: records, statistics and other key data from Spa-Francorchamps throughout F1 history

07/22/2024 05:45 PM

Belgian Grand Prix Facts

Before the weekend’s action kicks off, let’s delve into some fascinating facts and statistics about the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most historic and renowned circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, famous for its high-speed turns that challenge both drivers and their machines. The original track was a daunting 15 kilometers long, incorporating key sections of the modern layout such as La Source, the Kemmel Straight, and Les Combes.

The circuit’s origins date back to when newspaper owner Jules de Their sought to revive the La Meuse Cup, a race that had been disrupted by the First World War. Racing driver Henri Langlois van Ophem and Spa’s mayor, Baron Joseph de Crawhez, were brought in to design the track. They linked three roads connecting Spa, Malmedy, and Stavelot to form a triangular circuit.

In 1939, the famous Eau Rouge and Raidillon sequence was created when the Customs hairpin was removed, resulting in the high-speed, sweeping turns we see today. The steep 17% incline remains one of the most challenging corners in motorsport.

Spa was part of the inaugural Formula One World Championship in 1950, with Juan Manuel Fangio winning the 35-lap race. However, the circuit quickly gained notoriety for its high speeds and inherent dangers, leading to a boycott by F1 drivers in 1969. Despite various safety measures, the race was removed from the calendar the following year.

Formula One returned to a modernized Spa-Francorchamps in 1983. Since then, the circuit has hosted numerous memorable moments. Notably, the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix saw Team Silverstone, then known as Jordan Grand Prix, achieve a remarkable one-two finish in treacherous wet conditions.

Spa-Francorchamps continues to be a favorite among fans and drivers alike, offering a mix of technical challenges and thrilling racing that few other circuits can match.

Since 1950, Spa-Francorchamps has hosted the Belgian Grand Prix 56 times, with 28 different drivers taking victory at the iconic circuit. The 2024 race could mark the end of an era, as it is the last event under Spa’s current F1 contract, potentially making it the 56th and final appearance on the calendar.

A total of 75 drivers have stood on the podium at Spa over the years. In 2021, Lewis Hamilton set a new record for most podium finishes at the track, achieving his tenth top-three result. From the current 2024 grid, nine drivers have previously finished on the podium at Spa. Hamilton leads with ten podiums, followed by Max Verstappen with five. Fernando Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo, and Valtteri Bottas each have three podium finishes. Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez earned their second podiums at Spa in 2023, while George Russell secured his first in 2021, and Carlos Sainz reached the podium for the first time in 2022.

British drivers have historically performed well at Spa, accumulating 40 podium finishes, the most of any nationality at this circuit. The record for the furthest back podium finish at Spa is from 21st on the grid. Notably, the polesitter has finished on the podium 37 times at Spa, including every season since 2007.

Belgian Grand Prix: Did You Know?

The legendary Eau Rouge/Raidillon corner at Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most famous and challenging turns in Formula 1, featuring a dramatic elevation change of 35 meters from its lowest to highest point.

Among current drivers, Lewis Hamilton holds the best record at Spa with four victories. However, the track has also been the site of three first-lap retirements for him.

In 2019, Charles Leclerc became the first driver to claim his maiden Grand Prix victory at Spa since Michael Schumacher did so in 1992.

Fernando Alonso, despite his illustrious career, has never won at Spa.

Max Verstappen, born in Belgium to a Belgian mother, represents the Netherlands due to his father’s nationality. Before the Dutch Grand Prix rejoined the calendar, Spa served as his de facto home race, attracting thousands of Dutch fans each year.

Spa is the longest circuit on the current F1 calendar, measuring 7.004 kilometers. Despite its length, it has a relatively small spectator capacity of 70,000 fans.

Spa-Francorchamps is renowned not only for Formula 1 but also for hosting other major annual events such as the Spa 24 Hours and the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps for sportscars.

In the early years of Formula 1, the entry list for Spa was often shorter than other races due to the track’s daunting reputation.

Despite his success at Spa, including his first F1 victory and four consecutive wins, Jim Clark famously disliked the circuit.

Bruno Senna set the only fastest lap of his F1 career at Spa in 2012, a feat his uncle Ayrton Senna, despite winning six Grands Prix at the track, never achieved.

Michael Schumacher is the only driver to have clinched the World Championship at Spa, securing his seventh and final title at the circuit in 2004.

Spa has witnessed many close finishes, with 12 of the last 23 Belgian Grands Prix being decided by less than five seconds. The largest winning margin at Spa came in 1963 when Jim Clark triumphed by an astonishing 474 seconds.

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