© Getty ImagesFive Things You Didn’t Know About SpaFacts about the Belgian Race that you may have never heard of…
TimeforaSpaday.EveryonelovestheBelgianGrandPrix,thefans,theteamsanddriversalllovetheiconicBelgianGrandPrix,andit’sagreatwaytokickoffthesecondhalfoftheseason.
It’s one of the original seven circuits that was on the calendar back in the first season in 1950, but there’s so much more to learn about the race, so here are five things you may not know about the Belgian Grand Prix.
Bulls On The Charge In Belgium© Getty Images
TheOriginalTrackWentThroughThreeTownsandWasAMonster
The original track, designed by Jules de Thier and Henri Langlois van Ophem used public roads that went through the towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot to create a fast-flowing 14.9km circuit taking in the forests and hills of the Ardennes region.
Although it was designed in 1925, the full-length circuit wasn’t used until 1947. And by the 1960s the cars had become too quick, causing the drivers to boycott the race in 1969.
It moved to Nivelles and Zolder until it returned to a completely new track in Spa in 1983.
The Orange Army Don't Let Us Down, Come Rain Or Shine© Getty Images
A Belgian driver has never stood on the top step of the podium at their home race.
Belgium’s most successful driver Jacky Ickx has come the closest, finishing P3 in 1968. Both Olivier Gendebien and Theirry Boutsen finished third, but the latter was later disqualified for using illegal fuel.
Although Max Verstappen was born in Haslett in Belgium, he races under the Dutch flag (as we’re all aware), and in 2021 when he won, he could claim to be the first, but it’s not official.
ItHasHostedtheShortestRaceinTheSport’sHistory
The 2021 Belgium Grand Prix was plagued with awful rain that caused Checo to crash on the laps to grid. There was plenty of delays but after three hours of waiting the race started from the pitlane shortly after 6pm. The drivers completed two laps behind the Safety Car – but were considered race laps by race control, which allowed the race to be classified. Max took the win, the first for the Team since 2014.
Taking A Peek© Getty Images
The most famous corner on the circuit (and arguably the most famous corner in the whole of Formula One), Eau Rouge, is called so because of a stream that runs under the circuit at that particular turn.
The Eau Rouge is a 15km long stream and literally means ‘red water’. It’s given this name from the reddish colour of the stones and the riverbed due to the rich iron-oxide deposits.
The little village of Spa has been popular since the ninth century due to the supposed healing properties of its water. The town became synonymous with the healing waters and now every well-being centre is known as a ‘spa’ thanks to this town.
The Infamous 2021 Belgian Grand Prix© Getty Images
