Belgian Grand Prix track was forced to make major change following multiple deaths
The Belgian Grand Prix track underwent a major change to improve safety.
Back in 1925, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps hosted its first-ever Grand Prix, and since 1985, it has been the home of Formula 1 in Belgium.
The 4.352-mile circuit is one of the fastest and most dangerous tracks on the F1 calendar, with iconic corners such as Eau Rouge and Raidillon.
However, over the years, there have been some fatalities at Spa.
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Back in 2019, young French driver Anthoine Hubert was involved in a serious accident during the Formula 2 feature race.
In the second lap, Trident driver Giuliano Alesi lost control of his car going into the Raidillon curve and ended up hitting the barriers.
Alesi's teammate, Ralph Boschung, was first on the scene and slowed down to avoid a collision.
However, Hubert, who was following Boschung, also moved in the same direction and ended up clipping the Trident's rear wheel, sending him into the tyre wall before being deflected back into the path of Charouz driver Juan Manuel Correa, who went into the side of Hubert's car.
It was reported that Correa had lost control of his own car and was travelling at 135mph when he collided with Hubert's near-stationary vehicle.
Hubert was pronounced dead around 90 minutes after the incident, and Correa was airlifted to the hospital to undergo surgery.
Before Hubert, drivers like Sebastien Clouzeau (2013), Adrien Nicolas (2008) and Ferruccio Leone (2004) also passed away after an accident at the track.
Prior to the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix, a major change was made to the Eau Rouge and Raidillon complex in order to improve safety.
As reported by The Athletic, the runoff area at Raidillon expanded and the spectator area overlooking the same part of the track was also moved.
The track was also repaved and redesigned in order to better suit the modern regulations and tyres.
In 2023, Dutch driver Dilano van 't Hoff was killed after a multi-car crash at the exit of Raidillon, just before the Kemmel Straight.
Van 't Hoff was racing in the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) and the crash also involved Joshua Dufek, Adam Fitzgerald, Enzo Scionti, and Tim Tramnitz.
Van 't Hoff lost control of his car in the heavy rain as he entered the Kemmel Straight and ended up being struck on the side by Fitzgerald's car.
On the back of the incident, Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll called for more changes to be made to the Spa circuit.
Topics: Formula 1
Marcus Chan