June 4, 1972: Nivelles hosted their first F1 GP on a two-shot pistol (video)

50 years ago, the cars of the great Formula 1 circus first circled the Nivelles-Baulers circuit, which was a Walloon alternative to Spa-Francorchamps and then considered too dangerous. Brazil’s Emerson Fittipaldi took the win, laying the foundation stone for his first two world titles.

June 4, 1972. Thirtieth Edition of the Belgian Grand Prix. 50 years ago, F1’s grand circus first settled in Nivelles, in Walloon Brabant, southwest of Brussels.

The pilots no longer wanted Spa-Francorchamps, which was considered too dangerous. So we built an electrical circuit at the gates of the Belgian capital, “Modern and Safe”. The 3,724 km in Bowler, drawn very simply, evokes the shape of Venice, which marks a break with the long, natural roads, which are in particular the charm of the Ardennes. Nivelles-Baulers are designed as a color alternative to Zolder. be /https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet. be /{https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet . be/https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet.be/https://www.dhnet.be/{6}}

30 drivers registered for this fifth of the 12 races of the 1972 championship, which took place between Monaco and the French Grand Prix at Circuit Charade in Clermont-Ferrand (the Dutch Grand Prix, which would have followed the Belgian, was canceled due to the Zandvoort circuit under construction to improve infrastructure and safety) . Including the big names, such as Niki Lauda, ​​Graham Hill, Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi or Jackie Eckx, the Belgian star, who just won a podium (second behind Jean-Pierre Beltoise) in Monaco. And the Ferrari driver, who has never won in Belgium, is in the fight for the world title, second in the championship when he reaches Neville. World Champion Jackie Steward Sore Victim: Lost.

The tests were dominated by Ferraris and Lotus of Emerson Fittipaldi, who took first place. But he misses his passing. Clay Rigazzoni took advantage of this, and advanced in the first corner. Ickx is third behind the leading duo…

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