History of Belgian Grand Prix in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 24, 2026

The Belgian Grand Prix is a prestigious round of the Formula One World Championship held at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Renowned for its challenging high-speed layout, dramatic elevation changes, and the legendary Eau Rouge-Radillon corner, the race is a highlight of the racing calendar. It is frequently impacted by unpredictable Ardennes Forest weather, which often leads to rapidly changing track conditions that test driver skill and team strategy. First held in 1925, the Grand Prix has a deep historical legacy, having hosted some of the most memorable moments in motorsport history. Due to the combination of the circuit's extreme length and its technical demands, it remains a favorite among both drivers and fans, consistently serving as a critical indicator of performance in the championship battle.

1921: Construction of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was constructed in 1921, establishing a dedicated race course in the region to host Grand Prix motor racing events.

1923: Inauguration of Spa 24 Hours

Following the 1923 success of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, the Spa 24 Hours endurance race was established and hosted at the Spa track in 1923.

1924: Transition of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

Up until 1924, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was exclusively utilized for motorcycle racing, after which it began transitioning to accommodate wider Grand Prix motor racing events.

1925: Inaugural European Grand Prix designation for Belgium

In 1925, the Belgian Grand Prix received the honorary title of European Grand Prix for the first time, marking the beginning of a period where it would hold this status on six occasions.

1925: Inaugural Belgian Grand Prix

In 1925, the inaugural Belgian Grand Prix was held at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, featuring a victory by Antonio Ascari driving for Alfa Romeo.

1925: First Belgian National Race

In 1925, the very first national race of Belgium was held at the Spa region's race course, marking a significant milestone in the history of Belgian motor sports.

1930: Return of the Belgian Grand Prix

In 1930, the Belgian Grand Prix resumed after a hiatus, with the circuit modified to bypass the Malmedy chicane and Louis Chiron emerging as the race winner.

1931: Endurance-style Belgian Grand Prix

In 1931, the Belgian Grand Prix adopted an endurance race format, which was won by William Grover-Williams and Caberto Conelli.

1933: Tazio Nuvolari Victory

In 1933, the Belgian Grand Prix was held and resulted in a victory for driver Tazio Nuvolari.

1935: Rudolf Caracciola's Win

In 1935, the Malmedy Chicane was re-installed at the circuit, and Rudolf Caracciola secured the win driving a Mercedes.

1939: Introduction of the Raidillon corner and tragedy

In 1939, the circuit underwent modifications including the creation of the Raidillon corner; the event was marred by the fatal accident of driver Richard Seaman, with Hermann Lang winning the race.

June 1946: Post-WWII Belgian Grand Prix in Brussels

In June 1946, the Belgian Grand Prix returned after World War II, held at the Bois de la Cambre park where Eugène Chaboud won the event in a Delage.

1950: 1950 Belgian Grand Prix Formula One Debut

In 1950, the inaugural Formula One World Championship featured the Belgian Grand Prix, where Alfa Romeo drivers Juan Manuel Fangio and Nino Farina dominated the race, with Fangio securing the victory after competitor Alberto Ascari encountered fuel issues.

1952: Alberto Ascari's 1952 Victory

In 1952, Alberto Ascari won the Belgian Grand Prix, following in the footsteps of his father, Antonio Ascari, who won the inaugural race.

1953: 1953 Belgian Grand Prix Dominance

During the 1953 race, Alberto Ascari secured a dominant victory in his Ferrari, while rival teams like Maserati struggled with mechanical failures, including a steering issue that forced José Froilán González to retire near the Stavelot corner.

1953: Alberto Ascari's 1953 Victory

In 1953, Alberto Ascari repeated his success at the Belgian Grand Prix, securing a victory on the circuit for the second consecutive year.

1955: 1955 Mercedes-Benz Victory

In 1955, Mercedes dominated the Belgian Grand Prix with teammates Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss leading the race, ultimately resulting in a victory for Fangio.

1956: 1956 Belgian Grand Prix Dramatic Race

The wet 1956 Belgian Grand Prix saw Peter Collins take the win for Ferrari after his teammate Juan Manuel Fangio suffered a gearbox failure; meanwhile, Stirling Moss managed a third-place finish despite losing a wheel on his Maserati during the race.

1957: Cancellation of the 1957 Belgian Grand Prix

In 1957, the Belgian Grand Prix was cancelled due to a lack of funding, which was a direct result of extreme fuel price hikes in Belgium and the Netherlands triggered by the Suez Crisis.

1958: Tony Brooks wins the Belgian Grand Prix

In 1958, British driver Tony Brooks secured a victory at the Belgian Grand Prix while driving a Vanwall vehicle, finishing ahead of his teammate Stirling Moss.

1958: Infrastructure upgrades at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit

In 1958, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit underwent significant upgrades, including the installation of new facilities, resurfacing of the track, and the widening of the pit straight to accommodate modern racing standards.

1959: Belgian Grand Prix hiatus

The Belgian Grand Prix was not held in 1959, resulting in a temporary cessation of the race event for that year.

1960: Darkest weekend in Formula One history

The 1960 Belgian Grand Prix is remembered as one of the darkest weekends in Formula One history due to the implementation of new, faster rear-mid-engined car designs on a track with no safety features.

1961: Mandatory roll bars implemented

Following the safety concerns in the preceding years, roll bars were officially made mandatory for racing cars in 1961 to improve driver protection.

1961: Ferrari Dominance at the Belgian Grand Prix

In 1961, the Ferrari team utilized their superior horsepower to secure the top four positions, with Phil Hill taking the victory at the Belgian Grand Prix.

1962: Jim Clark's First Belgian Victory

During the 1962 race, Jim Clark secured his first Belgian Grand Prix win, marking the beginning of a streak where he would win the next three editions of the event.

1963: Clark's Rain-Soaked Victory

The 1963 Belgian Grand Prix was held under heavy rain conditions, during which Jim Clark dominated the field, finishing 4.5 minutes ahead of runner-up Bruce McLaren.

1966: The 1966 Belgian Grand Prix Safety Crisis

The 1966 Belgian Grand Prix, featuring new 3-liter engine regulations, was marred by a severe rainstorm that caused multiple crashes, including a near-fatal accident involving Jackie Stewart. Stewart's ordeal, where he was trapped in his BRM for 30 minutes, became a turning point that sparked his lifelong crusade for improved motorsport safety standards.

1973: Final European Grand Prix designation for Belgium

By 1973, the Belgian Grand Prix concluded its series of six honorary designations as the European Grand Prix, a title awarded annually to a single race in Europe.

1994: San Marino Grand Prix Comparison

In 1994, the San Marino Grand Prix surpassed the 1960 Belgian Grand Prix as the deadliest event in Formula One history, marking a significant threshold in the sport's safety legacy.