Autosport writers’ favourite F1 Belgian Grands Prix

With its contract up for renewal, and several glitzy new races set to join the calendar next year, the Belgian GP is currently hanging in the balance – prompting several leading drivers to speak out in support of keeping its current venue, Spa-Francorchamps, on the calendar.

That’s partly because the circuit is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, with its challenging blend of high-speed corners, but also because of the event’s rich history.

This weekend’s race will be the 67th edition of the race (54 have been held at Spa, 10 at Zolder and two at Nivelles), with Belgium missing from the calendar in only five of the world championship’s 72 seasons.

Although its most recent ‘race’ barely qualifies for the term, as heavy rain blighted the 2021 edition, Spa has produced many a classic down the years.

From Michael Schumacher’s opportunistic maiden win a year after his 1991 debut, to Jim Clark almost lapping the field amid heavy rain in 1963, Pedro Rodriguez defeating Chris Amon after a mammoth battle in 1970 and Dan Gurney’s sole win for his own Eagle outfit in 1967, our team of journalists were spoiled for choice when it came to singling out a favourite race.

Here’s what we came up with.

1998, Chaos, carnage and celebrations for Jordan – Laura Leslie

Everyone remembers where they were when they first watched the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, a race filled with action from start to finish. It had everything – heavy rain, humongous crashes, pitlane fights, tears of joy and a landmark result for one of F1’s best-loved teams.

It started with that infamous 13-car pile-up on the opening lap, triggered by David Coulthard’s McLaren spearing off right and into the wall on the run down to Eau Rouge. A near-hour-long delay was needed to clear the ocean of broken carbon fibre, with four drivers missing the second start.

As soon as the race restarted, so did the drama. Eventual champion Mika Hakkinen spun his McLaren exiting La Source and was collected by Johnny Herbert’s Sauber, with both cars out on the spot. At the front, Damon Hill moved up from third to lead for the first time since his arrival at Jordan. But it lasted only eight laps before he surrendered the initiative to a flying Michael Schumacher, the double world champion proceeding to pull away at a stunning pace and seemingly set to win by miles.

The Ferrari driver…