5 Amazing Moments at the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix

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From sudden downpours at Eau Rouge to title-changing chaos in the mist, the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps has become one of Formula 1’s most mythical battlegrounds. With its old-school layout, punishing corners, and rapidly changing weather, Spa has delivered some of the most iconic moments in motorsport history.

Let’s revisit five amazing moments that prove the Belgian Grand Prix is one of F1’s most magical—and most menacing—venues.

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Belgian Grand Prix 1963 – Jim Clark’s One-Handed Wet-Weather Masterclass

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In a downpour so intense it felt biblical, Jim Clark delivered one of the greatest wet-weather drives the sport has ever seen. Starting eighth on the grid, Clark surged to the lead in just a few laps—but what made it unforgettable was that he did it with a faulty gearbox stuck in top gear. According to Wikipedia, he effectively drove one-handed through one of the most dangerous tracks in the world, maintaining absolute control while others aquaplaned off the circuit. He lapped all but one car—Bruce McLaren—and finished nearly five minutes ahead of second place. It was a surreal display of balance, nerve, and raw feel for the car. That afternoon didn’t just win Clark the race—it secured his legend as one of the sport’s smoothest and bravest drivers.

Belgian Grad Prix 1988–1991 – Senna’s Reign Over Spa

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When fans talk about Spa’s finest, Ayrton Senna’s name always rises to the top. Between 1988 and 1991, the Brazilian maestro won four straight Belgian Grands Prix, turning the most daunting track on the calendar into his personal proving ground. Each year, he seemed to float through the spray of the Ardennes like a force of nature, finding grip and courage where others found only danger. His dominance during this stretch was so complete that even rivals admitted they couldn’t match his rhythm at Spa. As Motorsport.com notes, it was Spa that helped solidify the nickname “Magic Senna”—a track where he was consistently untouchable, transcending machine and weather alike.

1992 – Schumacher’s Breakout Win

One year after making his Formula 1 debut at Spa, Michael Schumacher returned in 1992 to score his first Grand Prix victory. Driving for Benetton-Ford, he showed remarkable composure in changing conditions—capitalizing on Nigel Mansell’s early lead and the unpredictability of Spa’s microclimate. According to Wikipedia, it was a moment of arrival for the young German. He read the track better than anyone, adjusted his strategy perfectly, and controlled the race from the front. This wasn’t just the first of his 91 career wins—it was the start of a deep, career-defining bond with Spa, a track where he would win six times in total. For a driver known for precision and dominance, it was fitting that his legend began on Formula 1’s most complex circuit.

1998 – Carnage, Chaos, and Damon Hill’s Final Win

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The 1998 Belgian Grand Prix began in utter disaster. On the run down to La Source, David Coulthard lost control in the wet, sparking a chain-reaction crash involving 13 cars in one of the most infamous pile-ups in F1 history. After a lengthy red flag and restart, conditions remained treacherous, and Coulthard would later cause another controversial collision—this time with Michael Schumacher, who stormed to the McLaren garage in fury. But in the midst of the madness, Damon Hill kept his head.

Driving for Jordan, he led home a stunning 1-2 finish with teammate Ralf Schumacher, securing the team’s first ever win. As Formula1.com recounts, it was a surreal day—equal parts catastrophe and triumph. Hill’s final career victory came in one of F1’s wildest races, proving once more that Spa never plays by the rules.

2000 – Hakkinen vs Schumacher: The Greatest Overtake?

The move that would define Mika Hakkinen’s legacy came at Spa in 2000. Battling Michael Schumacher in the closing laps, the two title contenders were locked in a high-speed game of chess. Then, on Lap 41, as both approached backmarker Ricardo Zonta on the Kemmel Straight, Hakkinen pulled off a daring double-pass—splitting Zonta and Schumacher at over 300 km/h in a breathtaking maneuver that still leaves fans in awe. As GrandPrixExperience.com describes, it was clinical, courageous, and devastatingly effective. Hakkinen went on to win the race, and the move was immediately hailed as one of the greatest overtakes in F1 history. Even Schumacher, never one to lavish praise on rivals, acknowledged its brilliance.

The Belgian Grand Prix is where skill, chaos, and courage collide. From the misty hills of 1963 to Senna’s rain-soaked rule, from the birth of Schumacher’s empire to the drama of 1998 and the elegance of Hakkinen’s pass—Spa-Francorchamps remains a cathedral of speed and danger. There’s no other place quite like it.

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