Belgian Grand Prix 1950 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Juan Manuel Fangio delivered a masterclass at the Belgian Grand Prix on June 18, 1950, conquering the fearsome Spa-Francorchamps circuit to score his second consecutive victory and keep his championship hopes alive. The 8.7-mile circuit through the Ardennes forests was the fastest and most dangerous on the calendar, with cars thundering through Eau Rouge and Blanchimont at speeds approaching 180 mph with virtually no safety provisions. Fangio's victory demonstrated his remarkable adaptability, mastering this high-speed challenge just weeks after his precision drive through Monaco's tight streets.

The race was run in treacherous conditions as rain showers swept across the Ardennes, creating a lethal combination with the ultra-fast layout. Fangio's wet-weather skills came to the fore as he carefully managed his Alfa Romeo's power on the streaming track, while several rivals fell victim to the conditions. Luigi Fagioli secured another solid second place for Alfa Romeo, though he finished nearly a minute behind his inspired teammate. Louis Rosier once again brought his Talbot-Lago home in third, the privateer's second consecutive podium finish highlighting his consistency and the reliability of his French machine.

Giuseppe Farina's race ended in dramatic fashion when he crashed at high speed, his Alfa Romeo sliding off the wet track and into the barriers. The championship leader emerged shaken but uninjured, a fortunate escape that highlighted the razor-thin margin between survival and catastrophe at Spa. Raymond Sommer was less fortunate, suffering injuries in a separate crash that underscored the circuit's lethal reputation. Fangio's victory closed the championship gap to Farina and set up an intriguing battle for the title as the season reached its midpoint, with three Alfa Romeo drivers separated by just a handful of points.