How F1 history was made despite Belgian GP washout

Russell in Belgium — Photo: © LAT Images

Belgian Grand Prix

How F1 history was made despite Belgian GP washout

All the best stats and facts from the Belgian Grand Prix

Ewan Gale

Monday 30 August 2021 14:20

The Belgian Grand Prix offered so much after qualifying but unfortunately produced so little.

The 'race', as it was, was washed out after two laps behind the safety car, with Max Verstappen awarded half-points for victory and George Russell claiming his maiden F1 podium.

But you don't need racing for stats, so here GPFans Global brings you all the best facts from a bizarre weekend at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

How short?

Article continues under video

Surprise surprise, the Belgian Grand Prix is the shortest race in F1 history at just one lap and 7.004km long, as per the official classification.

Official documentation from the FIA declares the reason for half points being awarded is that the leader [Max Verstappen] crossed the control line three times [think of the early formation laps behind the safety car, which also counted] therefore complying with the requirement for the leader to have completed more than two laps.

The previous shortest was the 1991 Australian Grand Prix, won by Ayrton Senna, which lasted 16 laps but took classification from 14 laps, curtailed again by torrential rainfall.

Williams podium brings delight

A few stats to rattle off for Williams on a stunning weekend for the team.

George Russell secured the first front row for the team since Lance Stroll in Italy 2017 and the first Briton to start on the front row for Williams since Damon Hill at the 1996 Japanese Grand Prix.

He also secured Williams' first podium since Stroll finished third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in the same season, while it was the team's highest placing since Felipe Massa was runner-up in the 2014 Abu Dhabi GP.

The last time Williams had both cars score in back-to-back races was at the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix of 2016.

A perfect return rate

For only the 11th time in F1 history, all 20 cars finished the grand prix.

That may sound an easy feat to achieve in a two-lap event controlled by the safety car, yet for a long time, Sergio Perez's crash on his way to the grid looked to threaten the perfect return rate.

Red Bull fixed the car up and he was good to go. Thank you red flags!

Honda's golden hour

Max Verstappen's pole position for Red Bull coincided with Pol Espagaro's pole for Honda at the British round of the MotoGP championship.

This was the first time since June 11, 2005, Honda had secured pole in the premier racing categories of both two and four wheels when Jenson Button scored top spot on the grid for the Canadian GP and Sete Gibernau qualified fastest for the MotoGP Catalan round.

Alonso just keeps on going

By starting his 324th race, Fernando Alonso became the second most experienced driver in F1 history, behind only Kimi Raikkonen.

Raikkonen has notched up 342 but Alonso moved past former stalwart Rubens Barrichello to stand alone in second. The closest active driver to Alonso on the list of all-time starts is Lewis Hamilton on 278.

Raikkonen the master of Spa

Raikkonen made history of his own on Sunday when his race start ensured he moved level with Barrichello and Ricardo Patrese for most starts at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Finn has now started 17 races at Spa, winning on four occasions.

Can Haas and Alfa make it a full house?

With Williams scoring a podium through George Russell, it means that Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, Alpine, AlphaTauri and Williams have all secured a podium this season.

The last time eight constructors reached the top three in a single season was back in 2009 when Brawn GP, Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Renault and Force India all prospered.