Belgian Grand Prix 1982 - Race Schedule and Countdown

The Belgian Grand Prix was overshadowed by tragedy when Gilles Villeneuve was killed during Saturday qualifying. Still furious from the Imola controversy and determined to beat Didier Pironi's time, Villeneuve pushed desperately on his final qualifying run. Approaching a slower car driven by Jochen Mass at the end of the long straight, Villeneuve attempted to pass but clipped the March's left rear wheel. His Ferrari was launched into a horrifying somersault that threw him from the cockpit, inflicting fatal injuries. Formula 1 had lost one of its greatest talents and most charismatic personalities.

The race proceeded in somber mood, with John Watson delivering a measured drive to victory for McLaren. Keke Rosberg finished second for Williams ahead of Eddie Cheever's Ligier, but the result felt meaningless compared to the loss of Villeneuve. The Canadian's death at age 32 robbed the sport of a driver whose combination of speed, bravery, and commitment to pure racing made him beloved by fans worldwide. For Pironi, still reeling from their feud, the tragedy would haunt him for the rest of his life. The accident prompted renewed scrutiny of circuit safety standards and driver protection.