Belgian Grand Prix

The 2024 Belgian Grand Prix is the 14th race of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championships, held on July 26-28 in Stavelot, Belgium.

Ever since the first race in 1950, the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps has been notorious for its unpredictable weather. At one point, 20 consecutive Grand Prix races held at Spa were in wet conditions.

Changing weather at the Belgian Grand Prix makes it often very hard for both drivers and their teams to predict the right strategy. The track is so big, it often rains in 5 of the 20 corners while the rest of the track stays dry. 

Such conditions, however, make it more attractive for fans watching the race as teams are left guessing the best tire strategy, and changes in the lead happen more frequently. Consequently, the Belgian GP is very popular amongst Formula 1 fans.

In 1950, the Belgian Grand Prix became a part of the F1 World Championship. Already back then, the race was held at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps even though it was a much older and different version of the circuit layout - 14.1km (8.7 miles) long, with high-speed corners.

This layout made the circuit very dangerous, and with multiple accidents preceding the year, the Belgian Grand Prix was canceled in 1971. The old format of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps also didn’t meet mandatory FIA circuit safety specs that year.

Following this decision, the Belgian Grand Prix would alternate between Circuit Zolder and Nivelles-Baulers Circuit. Belgian GP would not return to the famous Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps until its layout changed.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was shortened to 7.004 km (4.352 miles), and when the Belgian Grand Prix returned here in 1983, it instantly became a hit amongst drivers and F1 supporters. Except for the 1984 race at Zolder, the Belgian GP remained at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps ever since.

Some famous winners of the Belgian GP include Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, Damon Hill, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen.