Dive into the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, the ultimate showdown in F1 before the summer hiatus kicks in.
Last race before the summer break, the Belgian Grand Prix will take place for the second year during the last weekend of July. It marks the fifth race in six weeks, before a well-deserved break.
At Spa-Francorchamps, teams and drivers will encounter a completely refurbished and significantly faster circuit this year, according to Pirelli, due to the new track surface that has been laid. The Italian manufacturer expects a gain of several seconds, after comparing the GT3 timings in 2024 with those in 2023—a three-second improvement!
Following controversies surrounding McLaren’s team orders, Max Verstappen’s conduct, and Lance Stroll’s non-compliance with team directives at Aston Martin, the atmosphere in the Spa-Francorchamps paddock is sure to be electric for this 14th race of the year.
The circuit:
Spa-Francorchamps is among the historic circuits of F1. Nestled in the heart of the forest, the track features fast curves, abrupt altitude changes, and boasts total unpredictability.
The Eau Rouge Raidillon is one of the most famous corners in the world. With an 18% gradient, competitors must navigate a left-right followed by a compressing left and then an uphill sequence that tests both cars and drivers.
Turn 1 – The lap starts with La Source hairpin. This tight right is the slowest corner of the 7004-meter circuit.
Turn 3 – The descent towards Eau Rouge and the Raidillon causes a massive compression of the suspensions as the climb begins. Strong engine power is necessary to ascend the hill.
Turn 7 – Overtaking is readily feasible by exploiting the braking into Les Combes.
Turn 10 – Mechanical grip plays a significant role in the sequence formed by Bruxelles and Rivage, two more technical curves.
Turn 12 – Pouhon is a very fast double-left with a full-throttle exit before approaching Campus.
Turn 15 – The two rights of Stavelot and Paul Frère are crucial for optimizing speed into Blanchimont, a blind curve tackled in the acceleration phase. Utmost precision is required to position the car correctly.
Turn 19 – Formerly known as the Bus Stop, the final chicane is a tight right-left where overtaking is possible at the entrance.
Contenders in the Mix
McLaren dominated in Hungary, and if the team can maintain its lead at Spa, it will confirm its status as the new benchmark on the grid. After struggles in Hungary, Red Bull is expected to revert to its old package for high-speed tracks, though the team has not seen the progress anticipated.
Mercedes should therefore be on par with the Austrian team, while Ferrari is expected to be close to these two teams. However, the Scuderia must confirm that the new parts introduced at the Hungaroring are functional and have resolved the bouncing issues.
Behind them, Aston Martin will likely contend with RB F1 and Haas, while Alpine, Williams, and Stake are expected to be further back in this latter part of the starting grid.
Belgian Grand Prix Schedule
As in Hungary, the Belgian Grand Prix will follow a classic European timetable, starting at 13:30 on Friday, with qualifying at 16:00 on Saturday, and the race at 15:00 on Sunday.
The schedule for the Belgian Grand Prix
| Day | Date | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | July 26 | 13:30-14:30 | Free Practice 1 |
| 17:00-18:00 | Free Practice 2 | ||
| Saturday | July 27 | 12:30-13:30 | Free Practice 3 |
| 16:00-17:00 | Qualifications | ||
| Sunday | July 28 | 15:00-17:00 | Race |
The winners of the Belgian Grand Prix
| Year | Track | Winner | Team | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Spa-Francorchamps | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2022 | Spa-Francorchamps | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2021 | Spa-Francorchamps | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2020 | Spa-Francorchamps | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2019 | Spa-Francorchamps | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2018 | Spa-Francorchamps | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2017 | Spa-Francorchamps | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2016 | Spa-Francorchamps | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2015 | Spa-Francorchamps | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2014 | Spa-Francorchamps | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2013 | Spa-Francorchamps | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2012 | Spa-Francorchamps | Jenson Button | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 2011 | Spa-Francorchamps | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2010 | Spa-Francorchamps | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 2009 | Spa-Francorchamps | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2008 | Spa-Francorchamps | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2007 | Spa-Francorchamps | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2005 | Spa-Francorchamps | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 2004 | Spa-Francorchamps | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 2002 | Spa-Francorchamps | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2001 | Spa-Francorchamps | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2000 | Spa-Francorchamps | Mika Häkkinen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 1999 | Spa-Francorchamps | David Coulthard | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 1998 | Spa-Francorchamps | Damon Hill | Jordan | Mugen Honda |
| 1997 | Spa-Francorchamps | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1996 | Spa-Francorchamps | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1995 | Spa-Francorchamps | Michael Schumacher | Benetton | Renault |
| 1994 | Spa-Francorchamps | Damon Hill | Williams | Renault |
| 1993 | Spa-Francorchamps | Damon Hill | Williams | Renault |
| 1992 | Spa-Francorchamps | Michael Schumacher | Benetton | Ford |
| 1991 | Spa-Francorchamps | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | Honda |
| 1990 | Spa-Francorchamps | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | Honda |
| 1989 | Spa-Francorchamps | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | Honda |
| 1988 | Spa-Francorchamps | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | Honda |
| 1987 | Spa-Francorchamps | Alain Prost | McLaren | TAG |
| 1986 | Spa-Francorchamps | Nigel Mansell | Williams | Honda |
| 1985 | Spa-Francorchamps | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | Renault |
| 1984 | Zolder | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1983 | Spa-Francorchamps | Alain Prost | Renault | Renault |
| 1982 | Zolder | John Watson | McLaren | Ford |
| 1981 | Zolder | Carlos Reutemann | Williams | Ford |
| 1980 | Zolder | Didier Pironi | Ligier | Ford |
| 1979 | Zolder | Jody Scheckter | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1978 | Zolder | Mario Andretti | Lotus | Ford |
| 1977 | Zolder | Gunnar Nilsson | Lotus | Ford |
| 1976 | Zolder | Niki Lauda | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1975 | Zolder | Niki Lauda | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1974 | Nivelles | Emerson Fittipaldi | McLaren | Ford |
| 1973 | Zolder | Jackie Stewart | Tyrrell | Ford |
| 1972 | Nivelles | Emerson Fittipaldi | Lotus | Ford |
| 1970 | Spa-Francorchamps | Pedro Rodriguez | BRM | BRM |
| 1968 | Spa-Francorchamps | Bruce McLaren | McLaren | Ford |
| 1967 | Spa-Francorchamps | Dan Gurney | Eagle | Weslake |
| 1966 | Spa-Francorchamps | John Surtees | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1965 | Spa-Francorchamps | Jim Clark | Lotus | Climax |
| 1964 | Spa-Francorchamps | Jim Clark | Lotus | Climax |
| 1963 | Spa-Francorchamps | Jim Clark | Lotus | Climax |
| 1962 | Spa-Francorchamps | Jim Clark | Lotus | Climax |
| 1961 | Spa-Francorchamps | Phil Hill | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1960 | Spa-Francorchamps | Jack Brabham | Cooper | Climax |
| 1958 | Spa-Francorchamps | Tony Brooks | Vanwall | Vanwall |
| 1956 | Spa-Francorchamps | Peter Collins | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1955 | Spa-Francorchamps | Juan Manuel Fangio | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 1954 | Spa-Francorchamps | Juan Manuel Fangio | Maserati | Maserati |
| 1953 | Spa-Francorchamps | Alberto Ascari | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1952 | Spa-Francorchamps | Alberto Ascari | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1951 | Spa-Francorchamps | Nino Farina | Alfa Romeo | Alfa Romeo |
| 1950 | Spa-Francorchamps | Juan Manuel Fangio | Alfa Romeo | Alfa Romeo |
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2024 Belgian GP: Final F1 Clash Before Break 2024 Belgian GP: Final F1 Clash Before Break
