Attention, Colapint: The Belgium Circuit is the most dangerous of Formula 1 and has 49 deaths

The most tragic circuit of motoring is Spa-Francorchampsin which they have Dead 49 pilots Throughout history, and that is where next Sunday the Belgium Grand Prixwith the presence of the Argentine pilot Franco Colapint.

This iconic calendar circuit of the Formula 1located in the middle of the Ardenas, it is considered high speed and is very complex to handle, because it has pronounced ups and downs that demand a great technique by the pilots.

This makes one of the most attractive in the championship, but also one of the most dangerous. In the previous one Belgium Grand Prixthe French pilot Pierre Gaslywho in 2019 lost his friend Anthoine Hubert -Fallecido in FRANCORCHAMS SPA– declared in the previous one: “Spa will always be an emotional place, but it is also a place that reminds me why I run.”

Among the current grid pilots of the Formula 1 There are three who suffered strong blows in the Spa-Francorchamp Circuitalthough fortunately without physical consequences.

The first was Charles Leclerc in 2018, that in the rapier of the Grand Prix he was impacted by Fernando Alonsowho flew over his vehicle. On that occasion, the Halo – Mandatory Security Dispositive that protects the impact pilot’s head – was in charge of saving Monegasco’s life.

Then in 2020, George Russell It was hit by a wheel that detached from the car of Antonio Giovinazzi and hit strong against the side of the circuit, although he got off in perfect condition of his vehicle and in 2021 Lando Norris He starred in a strong blow in the rain during the classification, but did not suffer consequences.

Spa-Francorchamps He is known for his technical and fast layout, with natural elevation changes that make him one of the most challenging circuits and appreciated by the pilots. Among its emblematic curves are Eau Rouge and Raidillon, a rise sequence that requires extreme precision and courage, and Blanchimont, a rapid curve of high aerodynamic load.

In addition, the variable climate of the region, where it can rain in one sector while another remains dry, adds an unpredictability factor that has historically marked many races. This combination of speed, technique and risk makes Spa An icon of world motor racing.

Its tragic history:

Over the years, 49 pilots and three track assistants in competitions disputed there were lost their lives. Luckily, no Argentine. The first fatal victim was the British Bill Hollowellwho died in a motorcycling race in August of 1925. The most recent accident was that of DILANO VANK HOFF in 2023 and previously, in 2019, Anthoine Hubert He died during a test of Formula 2.

The 49 pilots who died in Spa-Francorchamps since the circuit was inaugurated in 1921:

• Bill Hollowell (Great Britain): August 9, 1925 in a 350cc GP motorcycle test.
• Frédéric-Charles Charlier (Belgium): July 6, 1929 in 24 hours of spa.
• Robert Jecker (Germany): July 15, 1932 during training for the Belgium of Motorcycling.
• Bruno Quaglieni (Italy): July 15, 1932 during training for the Belgium of Motorcycling Belgium.
• Miesse (Belgium): July 15, 1932 in training for a test of the Belgian motoring championship.
• Robert Grégoire (Belgium): July 21, 1933 during training for the Belgium of Motorcycling.
• Arie Van Der Pluym (Netherlands): July 15, 1934 at the Belgium of Motorcycling Belgium.
• Richard Seaman (Great Britain): June 25, 1939 at the Belgium Grand Prix.
• Dick Stallebrass (Gran Brataña): July 11, 1948 at 24 hours of Spa.
• Edouart Bruylant (Belgium): July 17, 1949 at the Belgium of Motorcycling Belgium.
• Hurst (Great Britain): July 17, 1949 at the Belgium of Motorcycling Belgium.
• David Whitworth (Great Britain): July 2, 1950 at the Belgium Motorcycling Grand Prix.
• Ernie Ring (New Zealand): July 5, 1953 at the Grand Prix of Belgium of Motorcycling.
• Gordon Laing (New Zealand): July 4, 1954 at the Belgium Motorcycling Grand Prix.
• Van der Haegen (Belgium): May 11, 1957 during training for the great spa prix.
• Roberto Colombo (Italy): July 6, 1957 in training for the Belgium Grand Prix.
• Archie Scott Brown (Great Britain): May 18, 1958 during a Sports Car Race test.
• Chris Bristow (Great Britain): June 19, 1960 at the Belgium Grand Prix.
• Alan Stacey (Great Britain): June 19, 1960 at the Belgium Grand Prix.
• Piero Frescobaldi (Italy): July 25, 1964 in the 24 hours of spa.
• Tony Hegbourne (Great Britain): May 16, 1965 in the 500 kilometers of Francorchamps.
• Karl-Heinz Thiemann (Germany): June 17, 1967 in training for a super V formula test.
• Wim Loos (Netherlands): July 23, 1967 in 24 hours of spa.
• Eric of Keyn (Belgium): July 23, 1967 in the 24 hours of spa.
• Johann Attenberger (Germany): July 7, 1968 at the Belgium of Motorcycling Belgium.
• Josef Schillinger (Germany): July 7, 1968 at the Belgium Motorcycling Grand Prix.
• Léon Dernier (Belgium): July 26, 1969 in 24 hours of spa.
• Christian Ravel (France): July 4, 1971 at the Belgium of Motorcycling Belgium.
• Raymond Mathay (Belgium): July 25, 1971 in the 24 hours of spa.
• Hans-Peter Joisten (Germany): July 21, 1973 in the 24 hours of spa.
• Roger Dubos (France): July 21, 1973 in 24 hours of spa.
• Massimo Larini (Italy): July 21, 1973 in 24 hours of spa.
• Wim Boshuis (Netherlands): July 26, 1975 in 24 hours of spa.
• Henri Hanssen (Belgium): June 3, 1978 in training for 24 hours of motorcycling hare.
• Kevin Wrettom (Great Britain): July 7, 1984 at the Belgium of Motorcycling Belgium.
• Harald Layher (Germany): July 18, 1985 in training for 24 hours of motorcycling liege.
• Jean-Pierre Haemisch (France): July 18, 1985 in the 24 hours of motorcycling liege.
• Stefan Bellof (Germany): September 1, 1985 in the 1000 kilometers of spa.
• Guy Renard (Belgium): July 22, 1990 in 24 hours of spa.
• Ian Taylor (Great Britain): June 7, 1992 at the Spa Coupe.
• Bruno Bonini (Italy): July 4, 1994 in training for 6 hours of spa.
• Jan Ter Maat (Netherlands): September 23, 1995 in training for the battle of twins.
• Lee Pullan (Great Britain): July 14, 1996 in 24 hours of motorcycling spa.
• Luc van Hover (Belgium): July 8, 1999 in training for 24 hours of motorcycling liege.
• Ferruccio Leone (Italy): May 9, 2004 during a Classic Formula 3 test.
• Adrien Nicolas (Belgium): August 16, 2008 in the 8 hours of motorcycling spa.
• Sébastien Clouzeau (France): June 16, 2013 in a career of the Classic 3 formula.
• Anthoine Hubert (Belgium): August 31, 2019 in a Formula 2 race.
• Dilano Van’t Hoff (Netherlands): July 1, 2023 in a test of the European regional formula.

All features of the spa-Francorchamps circuit:

• Location: Stavelot, Valonia region, Belgium.
• Current length: 7.004 km (4,352 miles).
• Number of curves: 19 (9 to the left and 10 to the right).
• SENSE: SCHEDULE.
• First Grand Prix of F1: 1950 (although the original layout is 1921).
• Approximate capacity: 70,000 spectators.
• Return record (F1): Lewis Hamilton – 1: 41.252 (2020, Mercedes).