Former F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen recalled an interesting anecdote involving his former teammate, Lewis Hamilton [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/lewis-hamilton/]. Heikki revealed that he had a wager with the 6 times World Champion over who would be able to go flat out through Eau Rouge at Spa on the out-lap during their first run in first practice, back in 2009. As you’ve probably guessed, Hamilton won the bet, but Kovalainen disclosed why the British driver is such an enigma in F1. LEWIS HAMILTON AND HEIKKI KOVALAINEN’S BET Heikki and Lewis were teammates for only 2 seasons at McLaren [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/f1/mclaren/]. And despite foraying into F1 at the same time, Hamilton dominated the Finn during their time together. 2009 was a transitional year for the Brit, from a fresh-faced rookie to a semi-experienced driver with a World Championship. At the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton had a bet with Heikki that would terrify most drivers. For those unaware, Eau rouge is a steep, fast-paced corner that can go very wrong when not tackled correctly. [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/mchk.jpg] Hamilton’s bet involved going flat out an out-lap, during first practice on cold tires! As insane as it sounds, the reigning World Champion managed to pull it off and won the wager. Heikki revealed that he backed off, just a little. Speaking to F1’s Beyond the Grid [https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/tags.beyond-the-grid.63HGi6Q0grEg1ToZBtPNQ9.html] podcast, Kovalainen said: “We were at Spa, and the first practice was just about to start, and I think Lewis came to me and said: “Would you like to do a bet, just on the out lap, that who goes faster through Eau Rouge straight out of the box?” “In those days it wasn’t like easy flat out straight out of the box on Friday morning. And I said, “Yeah, yeah, we’ll do that.” Then he just went with the right leg straight and went flat out the first lap. I had a tiny lift and I lost the bet. But that was the kind of thing that he was… I kind of knew that that’s lost money for me. I was never gonna win that. So yeah… he’s got unbelievable fighting spirit.” “I think it’s just his pace was just a tiny bit quicker consistently. I don’t have any trouble admitting it. He is one of the greatest, if not the greatest driver. I’m glad I went against him” concluded Heikki. 

Former F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen recalled a fascinating incident involving
Lewis Hamilton during the duo's time at McLaren.

Abhishek Bharadwaj is an F1 author and content strategist at EssentiallySports.
Having joined ES in January 2020, he has over 700 articles to his name. While he
was first introduced to the world of F1 in 2006, he started religiously
following the sport in 2012 and has had an undying passion for it ever since. He
has a liking for German champions in the sport, as his Formula One idols include
Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher. When it comes to F1 teams, Abhishek
dons a british green racing jersey to show his support for the Aston Martin F1
team.

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Abhishek Bharadwaj

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Berri

[caption id="attachment_386230" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-386230" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200922150043/2020-08-30T144215Z_227662977_UP1EG8U14UF3L_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-BELGIUM.jpg" alt="Lewis Hamilton celebrating his win with Valtteri Bottas at Belgian Grand Prix, 2020" width="1920" height="1280" /> Formula One F1 - Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium - August 30, 2020 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the race with Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas who finished in second place | Courtesy: Pool via REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq[/caption]
<h2>Belgian Grand Prix 2021 Winners, Qualifying, Circuits, Track</h2>
Spa-Francorchamps circuit that stages the Belgian Grand Prix is situated in the midst of a scenic surrounding. The circuit has hosted enthralling races since 1925. Combined with the unprecedented weather activity that makes the race more thrilling and extremely challenging.

The racing track in Belgium constructed in 1921 was registered under the F1 calendar in 1925. It has staged 75 races over the course of its existence.

<img class="wp-image-108714 size-full aligncenter" src="https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Spa-Francorchamps_overview.jpg" alt="" width="2048" height="1365" />

The Belgian Grand Prix received the honor of the European Grand Prix six times in total. During the pandemic, while other tracks were postponing and calling off the scheduled races, Belgium did not back out from the list.

The 2021 race will happen between 27 August - 29 August.
<h2>Most Winners</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="141">NAME</td>
<td width="151">NATIONALITY</td>
<td width="94">YEAR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">MICHAEL SCHUMACHER</td>
<td width="151">GERMAN</td>
<td width="94">1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">AYRTON SENNA</td>
<td width="151">BRAZILIAN</td>
<td width="94">1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">JIM CLARK</td>
<td width="151">BRITISH</td>
<td width="94">1962, 1963, 1964, 1965</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">KIMI RAIKKONEN</td>
<td width="151">FINNISH</td>
<td width="94">2004, 2005, 2007, 2009</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">LEWIS HAMILTON</td>
<td width="151">BRITISH</td>
<td width="94">2010, 2015, 2017, 2020</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">JUAN MANUEL FANGIO</td>
<td width="151">ARGENTINE</td>
<td width="94">1950, 1954, 1955</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">DAMON HILL</td>
<td width="151">BRITISH</td>
<td width="94">1993, 1994, 1998</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">SEBASTIAN VETTEL</td>
<td width="151">GERMAN</td>
<td width="94">2011, 2013, 2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">ALBERTO ASCARI</td>
<td width="151">ITALIAN</td>
<td width="94">1952, 1953</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">EMERSON FITTIPALDI</td>
<td width="151">BRAZILIAN</td>
<td width="94">1972, 1974</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">NIKI LAUDA</td>
<td width="151">AUSTRIAN</td>
<td width="94">1975, 1976</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="141">ALAIN PROST</td>
<td width="151">FRENCH</td>
<td width="94">1983, 1987</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Most Constructors Winners</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="151">MANUFACTURER</td>
<td width="113">YEAR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">FERRARI</td>
<td width="113">1952, 1953, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1984, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2019</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">McLaren</td>
<td width="113">1968, 1974, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2012</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">LOTUS</td>
<td width="113">1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1985</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">MERCEDES</td>
<td width="113">1935, 1939,  1955, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">ALFA ROMEO</td>
<td width="113">1925, 1947, 1950, 1951</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">WILLIAMS</td>
<td width="113">1981, 1986, 1993, 1994</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">BUGATTI</td>
<td width="113">1930, 1931, 1934</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">RED BULL</td>
<td width="113">2011, 2013, 2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">MASERATI</td>
<td width="113">1933, 1954</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">BENETTON</td>
<td width="113">1992, 1995</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Circuit Details</h2>
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot, Belgium, has hosted various veins of motorsports. The authorities have kept a close eye on maintaining the perfect form of the track, and it has hence been refurbished several times.

The circuit, at present, after the addition of new pit lanes and Bus Stop chicane, measures 7.004 kilometers with 19 turns. It comprises 44 laps with a racing distance of 308.052 kilometers. The grid has quick, complicated, tricky corners, chicanes, turns, and bridges. The first sector is the interesting of all. The hairpin turn 1 is famous for pile-ups during race starts.

And then arrives the world-famous Eau Rouge, which witnesses a steep rise in altitude, almost leaving the drivers facing the sky followed by a massive Kemmel straight, before reaching the tricky section of corners, named Les Combes.

Despite the unprecedented weather situation, it is a beloved track. The circuit demands proper development of skills and strategies along with the speed to stand tall in the race.

It has produced several dramatic and historic races in its term of existence, like in the years 1952, 1963, 1966, 1985, 1995, and 2017. The race for the last race at Spa-Francorchamps went to Lewis Hamilton on August 30, 2020.
<h2>Where to watch</h2>
The practice sessions, qualifying, and the race in Asia, Australia, and Latin America will stream on FOX Sports Channel. People from the Indian subcontinent can enjoy the race on STAR Sports. In Africa, SuperSport will broadcast it.

Belgium has RTBF and Telenet for the entire highlights and the streaming of the race. Brazilians could watch it on TV Globo and SporTV while Bulgarians can watch it on Nova and Diema Sport.

RDS and TSN will broadcast the entire course of the race for Canada. However, for the Czech Republic and Slovakia Sport 1, Sport2, Sport 5 will take charge of the broadcast. China will stream the race on CCTV, Tencent, Guangdong TV, and Shanghai TV.

Denmark will have TV3+, TV3 Sport, and ViaSat while Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will have TBC for broadcast.

Finland will telecast the race on MTV and France will do so on TF1 and Canal+. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will have RTL Germany for their people to enjoy the race. Greece will stream it on ERT and Cosmote TV.

Hungary will enjoy the entire weekend on M4. Israel will have the broadcast on The Sports Channel while the Italians will witness it on Sky Italia and TV8.

Japan will watch it on Fuji Television, Network Inc., and Dazn. TUDN Mexico will telecast the race for Mexico while Montenegro will view it on SportKlub.

The Netherlands will broadcast it on Ziggo, New Zealand will do so on Spark sport. Eleven Sport will telecast the entire event for Poland and Portugal.  Russia will watch it on Match TV.

Spain and Andorra have Movistar. Turkey will stream it on S Sport. The United Kingdom will broadcast the entire event on C4 and Sky Sports, while ESPN will telecast the entire course for the USA.
<h2>Tickets</h2>
The ongoing global health situation resulted in last year's entire race being held behind closed doors. The F1 officials and the teams had to abide by the rules and regulations fixed by the FIA and the F1 authorities.

The tickets for the 2021 season will be available on the F1 official <a href="https://grandprixevents.com/belgian-grand-prix/2021/overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a>. The spectators will have to provide proof[s] including a vaccination certificate, or a negative PCR test. Also, spectators traveling from outside of Europe are strictly prohibited from attending the event at Spa.
<h2>Belgian Grand Prix at a Glance</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="179">FOUNDED</td>
<td width="151">1925</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="179">FIRST HELD</td>
<td width="151">1925</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="179">LAST HELD

POLE POSITION

PODIUM</td>
<td width="151">2020

Lewis Hamilton (1:41.252)

3. Max Verstappen (+15.455)

2. Valtteri Bottas (+8.448)

1. Lewis Hamilton (1:24:08.761)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="179">CIRCUIT DETAILS

CIRCUIT LENGTH

TURNS</td>
<td width="151">7.004-km

19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="179">LAPS</td>
<td width="151">44</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="179">MOST WINS</td>
<td width="151">Michael Schumacher</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="179">MOST CONSTRUCTORS WINNERS</td>
<td width="151">Ferrari</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="179">WHERE TO WATCH</td>
<td width="151">Spa-Francorchamps</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="179">TICKETS</td>
<td width="151"><a href="https://grandprixevents.com/belgian-grand-prix/2021/overview">https://grandprixevents.com/belgian-grand-prix/2021/overview</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="179">TV TELECAST, LIVE STREAM</td>
<td width="151"><a href="https://www.formula1.com/en/toolbar/broadcast-information.html">https://www.formula1.com/en/toolbar/broadcast-information.html</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Belgian Grand Prix

Formula One F1 &#8211; Belgian Grand Prix &#8211; Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium &#8211; August 30, 2020 Mercedes&#8217; Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the race with Mercedes&#8217; Valtteri Bottas who finished in second place | Courtesy: Pool via REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq Belgian Grand Prix 2021 Winners, Qualifying, Circuits, Track Spa-Francorchamps circuit that stages the Belgian Grand Prix is situated in the midst of a scenic surrounding. The circuit has hosted enthralling races since 1925. Combined with the unprecedented weather activity that makes the race more thrilling and extremely challenging. The racing track in Belgium constructed in 1921 was registered under the F1 calendar in 1925. It has staged 75 races over the course of its existence. The Belgian Grand Prix received the honor of the European Grand Prix six times in total. During the pandemic, while other tracks were postponing and calling off the scheduled races, Belgium did not back out from the list. The 2021 race will happen between 27 August &#8211; 29 August. Most Winners  NAME NATIONALITY YEAR  MICHAEL SCHUMACHER GERMAN 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002  AYRTON SENNA BRAZILIAN 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991  JIM CLARK BRITISH 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965  KIMI RAIKKONEN FINNISH 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009  LEWIS HAMILTON BRITISH 2010, 2015, 2017, 2020  JUAN MANUEL FANGIO ARGENTINE 1950, 1954, 1955  DAMON HILL BRITISH 1993, 1994, 1998  SEBASTIAN VETTEL GERMAN 2011, 2013, 2018  ALBERTO ASCARI ITALIAN 1952, 1953  EMERSON FITTIPALDI BRAZILIAN 1972, 1974  NIKI LAUDA AUSTRIAN 1975, 1976  ALAIN PROST FRENCH 1983, 1987  Most Constructors Winners  MANUFACTURER YEAR  FERRARI 1952, 1953, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1984, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2019  McLaren 1968, 1974, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2012  LOTUS 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1985  MERCEDES 1935, 1939,  1955, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020  ALFA ROMEO 1925, 1947, 1950, 1951  WILLIAMS 1981, 1986, 1993, 1994  BUGATTI 1930, 1931, 1934  RED BULL 2011, 2013, 2014  MASERATI 1933, 1954  BENETTON 1992, 1995  Circuit Details Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot, Belgium, has hosted various veins of motorsports. The authorities have kept a close eye on maintaining the perfect form of the track, and it has hence been refurbished several times. The circuit, at present, after the addition of new pit lanes and Bus Stop chicane, measures 7.004 kilometers with 19 turns. It comprises 44 laps with a racing distance of 308.052 kilometers. The grid has quick, complicated, tricky corners, chicanes, turns, and bridges. The first sector is the interesting of all. The hairpin turn 1 is famous for pile-ups during race starts. And then arrives the world-famous Eau Rouge, which witnesses a steep rise in altitude, almost leaving the drivers facing the sky followed by a massive Kemmel straight, before reaching the tricky section of corners, named Les Combes. Despite the unprecedented weather situation, it is a beloved track. The circuit demands proper development of skills and strategies along with the speed to stand tall in the race. It has produced several dramatic and historic races in its term of existence, like in the years 1952, 1963, 1966, 1985, 1995, and 2017. The race for the last race at Spa-Francorchamps went to Lewis Hamilton on August 30, 2020. Where to watch The practice sessions, qualifying, and the race in Asia, Australia, and Latin America will stream on FOX Sports Channel. People from the Indian subcontinent can enjoy the race on STAR Sports. In Africa, SuperSport will broadcast it. Belgium has RTBF and Telenet for the entire highlights and the streaming of the race. Brazilians could watch it on TV Globo and SporTV while Bulgarians can watch it on Nova and Diema Sport. RDS and TSN will broadcast the entire course of the race for Canada. However, for the Czech Republic and Slovakia Sport 1, Sport2, Sport 5 will take charge of the broadcast. China will stream the race on CCTV, Tencent, Guangdong TV, and Shanghai TV. Denmark will have TV3+, TV3 Sport, and ViaSat while Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will have TBC for broadcast. Finland will telecast the race on MTV and France will do so on TF1 and Canal+. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will have RTL Germany for their people to enjoy the race. Greece will stream it on ERT and Cosmote TV. Hungary will enjoy the entire weekend on M4. Israel will have the broadcast on The Sports Channel while the Italians will witness it on Sky Italia and TV8. Japan will watch it on Fuji Television, Network Inc., and Dazn. TUDN Mexico will telecast the race for Mexico while Montenegro will view it on SportKlub. The Netherlands will broadcast it on Ziggo, New Zealand will do so on Spark sport. Eleven Sport will telecast the entire event for Poland and Portugal.  Russia will watch it on Match TV. Spain and Andorra have Movistar. Turkey will stream it on S Sport. The United Kingdom will broadcast the entire event on C4 and Sky Sports, while ESPN will telecast the entire course for the USA. Tickets The ongoing global health situation resulted in last year&#8217;s entire race being held behind closed doors. The F1 officials and the teams had to abide by the rules and regulations fixed by the FIA and the F1 authorities. The tickets for the 2021 season will be available on the F1 official website. The spectators will have to provide proof[s] including a vaccination certificate, or a negative PCR test. Also, spectators traveling from outside of Europe are strictly prohibited from attending the event at Spa. Belgian Grand Prix at a Glance  FOUNDED 1925  FIRST HELD 1925  LAST HELD POLE POSITION PODIUM 2020 Lewis Hamilton (1:41.252) 3. Max Verstappen (+15.455) 2. Valtteri Bottas (+8.448) 1. Lewis Hamilton (1:24:08.761)  CIRCUIT DETAILS CIRCUIT LENGTH TURNS 7.004-km 19  LAPS 44  MOST WINS Michael Schumacher  MOST CONSTRUCTORS WINNERS Ferrari  WHERE TO WATCH Spa-Francorchamps  TICKETS https://grandprixevents.com/belgian-grand-prix/2021/overview  TV TELECAST, LIVE STREAM https://www.formula1.com/en/toolbar/broadcast-information.html

Belgian Grand Prix Archives

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Former F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen recalled a fascinating incident involving Lewis Hamilton during the duo's time at McLaren.

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When Lewis Hamilton Made a Terrifying Bet With his Former Teammate

Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen’s bet