Inaugurated in 1921, Spa-Francorchamps is one of the world’s most famous motorsport circuits. The first edition of Belgium’s most iconic race, the 24 Hours, was in 1924. In more than a century, Ferrari has amassed many victories in endurance races at Spa, achieving 13 overall wins with sports cars and prototypes. These include the first victory in the 24 Hours of Spa in 1949 by Luigi Chinetti and Jean Lucas and the triumph in the 1000 Kilometres of Spa in 1953 by Olivier Gendebien, both achieved with the 166 MM. In 2023, the 499P number 51, driven by Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi, secured its first podium in the FIA WEC 6 Hours, the race preceding their triumph at Le Mans.
La Source, Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Blanchimont, and Kemmel are not only names of the curves and straights of the Wallonian track but also appear in the vocabulary of all motorsport fans. The reason? The history of Spa-Francorchamps, often referred to as the ‘University’ of European racing, is packed with epic moments where drivers and cars have achieved unforgettable feats.
In more than a hundred years, Ferrari has achieved memorable results at the Spa circuit, which in its current configuration measures 7.004 kilometres and includes 20 turns. As mentioned, Olivier Gendebien was first over the finish line in the 166 MM in 1953. This marked the Belgian’s first major victory with Ferrari, with which he won four 24 Hours of Le Mans (1959, 1960-62).
In the 1960s, the Prancing Horse continued to add to its roll of honour with remarkable results in Belgium, including victories by the 250 GTO at the 500 Kilometres of Spa in 1963 with Willy Mairesse and in 1964 with Mike Parkes. However, 1972 went down as an exceptional year. In the World Championship for Makes, Brian Redman and Arturo Merzario secured victory in the 1000-kilometre race with their 312 PB, following a qualifying session in which the 312 PBs dominated the front of the grid. Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni took pole position, with Redman and Merzario starting second and Tim Schenken and Ronnie Peterson lining up third.
Since the turn of the millennium, Ferrari and its partner AF Corse have racked up 14 class victories at the 6 Hours of Spa (from 2012 to 2023), the most recent with the 488 GTE crewed by official drivers Lilou Wadoux and Alessio Rovera, along with Louis-Perez Companc, who clinched the top step of the podium in last year’s LMGTE Am category.