SPA-FRANCOCHAMPS

As the longest track on the F1 calendar, Spa-Francorchamps has its unique problems. Not that length means much generally, except maybe in terms of course-marshalling. But at Spa, it means a lot; it often means rain at one end of the track and a dry surface at the other.

From La Source to Malmedy the distance is nearly two miles, and frequently the track forces drivers to make a decision about rain or slick tires on a grid that doesn’t give a good indication what the other end of the track will hold. That has always been the danger at the scenic Belgium venue.

This circuit alternated as the site of the FIA Belgium GP with Zolder until 1985 when Spa was finally re- paved and shortened a bit. It was postponed the same year it returned while the track finished curing. In fact the whole caravan showed up and went home Saturday when the track began cracking. The race was run later in September.

The track itself is one of the most interesting on each GP circuit. You’ll enter at Eau Rouge, and walk to your seats from there. Be prepared to walk. Paths that follow the track run nearly all around the place, so you’ll be able to walk and watch at the same time.

Between 1950 and 1995 the Belgian Grand Prix took place 42 times as world championship race, 30 times at Spa (18 times on the old 12 times on the new circuit), 10 times at Zolder and two times at Nivelles.

The first GP on the new, modified Spa Circuit was held in 1983. The first winner on the new track, shortened from 14 to 6.9km was Alain Prost. 28 drivers won a Grand Prix of Belgium, record holder is Ayrton Senna with five wins (1985,88, 89, 90 and ’91). From 88 - 91 Senna was also the pole holder. Ferrari, with nine wins, has been the most succesful team. Both Lotus and McLaren had eight winners.

A hard fight - on and off the track - took place in 1987, when Nigel Mansell started to physically attack Ayrton Senna in the pits after the two had a collission on the circuit. In 1985 the Belgian GP was scheduled in June, but after big problems with the new surface of the circuit, the race had to be postponed to September.

Since the F1 Championship started in 1950 there have been 574 races. From 1950 to 1960 the Indy 500 was a qualifying round. However it was never relevant to the Championship and has been omitted from these statistics.

The highest number of World Championship wins is five by the late Juan-Manuel Fangio. Fangio won an unrivalled 25 of his 51 Championship races (47%). The greatest number of consecutive wins is nine, achieved by Alberto Ascari between 1952 and 1953.