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The Formula One calendar heads to Belgium this weekend for the much-anticipated Belgian Grand Prix to be held at the historic circuit in Spa.
The circuit itself is no stranger to F1, having been built way back in the 1920s and playing host to a number of racing events over the course of the 20th century. A number of modifications have since been added to the iconic circuit to make it safer and more race-friendly but the course still continues to be notorious for some of the biggest crashes in racing history.
When it comes to F1, crashes are a regular at the Belgian GP, and the 1960 race at Spa was proof that not even the most elite level of motorsport is immune from facing fatal accidents. Chris Bristow and Alan Stacey tragically lost their lives during the Grand Prix and exposed some of the irregularities present in the track that needed serious attention.
Despite the crashes, Spa continues to be a favourite among F1 fans and is widely considered one of the most entertaining on the entire calendar. With the race coming up this Sunday, we wanted to take a look at some of the most severe crashes at the circuit with the hope that none are repeated this time around.
#5 Kevin Magnussen crash at Eau Rouge (2016)
Arguably one of Spa's most famous corners, Eau Rogue lived up to its notorious last name in 2016 as Kevin Magnussen took his unassuming Renault to the limit while entering the corner before suddenly spinning off at high speed. The Renault driver's car went cannoning into the barricade and had fans gasping for breath before he thankfully emerged from the rubble relatively unscathed. Looking back at it now, one can see the true extent of damage on the car which makes Magnussen's escape all the more miraculous.
#4 Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard crash (1998)
The 1998 Belgian GP was dramatic from start to finish. But more on that later. Hoping to close the gap on Mika Hakkinen, a young Michael Schumacher took his Ferrari to the limit on the slippery surface of the track at Spa.
Trying to fly past the backmarkers, Schumi attempted to overtake David Coulthard but the Brit was notably out of his element on the drenched track which made for a lot of confusion. Schumacher dangerously tried to go in blind and a hapless Coulthard held position resulting in the German ramming into him from behind and effectively ending the race for both competitors. What's worse, Schumacher then stormed into the pit-lane and confronted Coulthard over what he felt was a deliberate crash caused to stop the German from closing in on Hakkinen - Coulthard's teammate. Deliberate or not, this sure was a landmark moment in F1.
#3 Multi-car crash at Spa (2012)
One word to describe the 2012 Belgian GP would be chaotic. The race seemed to begin normally but turned around in a matter of seconds. Pastor Maldonado appeared to make a false start at the front but things went awry after Romain Grosjean carelessly tried to overtake from the right of Fernando Alonso. The Lotus driver inevitably rammed into the Ferrari and shockingly went over the scarlet car, narrowly avoiding the head of the Spaniard in the process. The after effects of the crash were felt on other drivers too including McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton.
Grosjean was later banned from competing in the following race, the first time that had happened since Michael Schumacher was banned in 1994.
#2 Luciano Burti and Eddie Irvine crash (2001)
The 2001 Belgian GP saw one of its most shocking crashes ever when Luciano Burti and Eddie Irvine engaged in what looked to be a competitive race for track position that turned horribly wrong.
Irvine and Burti battled in the rain and pretty much zero visibility at a high speed before Burti's Prost exited the track at high speed and bounced into the gravel and ultimately a tyre wall in top gear. The incident looked frightening at the very least and left the driver thankful that he had his helmet to save his life.
The accident left Burti with head injuries and effectively ended his F1 career but the helmet ensured he survived a horrific turn of events.
#1 Multi-car crash at start (1998)
The 1998 Belgian GP is remembered for all the wrong reasons. The Coulthard-Schumacher spat, and the appalling driving conditions to name a few. But perhaps the highlight of this race was seen at the very start itself when the extent of destruction was truly unimaginable.
The race began on a wet and treacherous Spa surface and quickly disintegrated into chaos. After David Coulthard's McLaren slipped and slid across the turf and into the middle of the track, the rest of the field fell like dominoes one by one. When the dust settled, there was mayhem and bedlam on track, and the race needed to be restarted. It was one of the most memorable F1 races of the modern era, and this particular crash is widely considered as one of the most bizarre moments in F1 history.
