History

In 1925, Antonio Ascari won the first Belgian Grand Prix. In 1939, Richard "Dick" Seaman lost his life at Spa while leading the race. Chris Bristow and Alan Stacey also lost their lives in separate incidents.


In 1972 Spa was considered too dangerous for Formula 1, so the Belgians decided to alternate their Grand Prix between Zolder and a characterless circuit at Nivelles - Baulers. The first race at Nivelles was won by Emerson Fittipaldi; Zolder hosted the race the following year and Jackie Stewart was the winner. In 1974, Emerson Fittipaldi won the race at Nivelles again and after that, the organizers were unable to sustain a Grand Prix and the track faded from the racing scene.
The race returned to Zolder, where it would be held for nine times. Niki Lauda won it in 1975 and 1976, Gunnar Nilsson in 1977 (his only victory in F1), Mario Andretti in 1978, Jody Scheckter in 1979, Didier Pironi in 1980, Carlos Reutemann in 1981, John Watson in 1982 and in 1983, the last F1 race held at Zolder, Michele Alboreto took the final victory. From 1985, the Belgian Grand Prix returned to Spa-Francorchamps.


Michael Schumacher made his debut at Spa in 1991 and won his first F1 race there in 1992, won his 52nd Grand Prix in 2001, surpassing Alain Prost's all time record of 51 wins. In 2004, Michael Schumacher won his seventh World Drivers Championship title. In 1998, the race was took in torrential conditions. The race was stopped after a massive accident involving thirteen runners at first corner. Only eight drivers managed the race to the end.
In 2006, FIA announced the Belgian Grand Prix would not be part of 2006 Formula 1 Season, since the local authorities had started to repair the track at Spa. In 2007, Kimi Raikkonen won the race and his 3rd Grand Prix won in a row.
In 2008, Lewis Hamilton lost the lead to Raikkonen with an early spin because it was raining, fought back and passed Raikkonen, lost the lead again with a spin, re took it and then saw Raikkonen crash. The stewards decided after the race to apply a drive-through penalty for Hamilton's pass on Raikkonen (25 seconds).