1996 Belgian Grand Prix

The LIV Grand Prix de Belgique, otherwise known as the 1996 Belgian Grand Prix, was the thirteenth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps near Spa, Belgium, on the 25 August 1996.'Belgian GP, 1996', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr594.html, (Accessed 16/08/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher secure victory, as newly crowned Champions made a mess of both their drivers' races.
Schumacher's hopes of victory had looked fairly bleak before the race, with a heavy crash on Friday seeing him destroy his preferred race car. He would, however, bounce back to claim third on the grid during qualifying, as Jacques Villeneuve beat Damon Hill to pole position in the familiar Williams duel for pole in a rain affected session.
The start would see Hill continue his run of poor starts, allowing Schumacher to charge into second and Villeneuve run unopposed into La Source to secure the lead. David Coulthard would threaten the Champion elect into the hairpin, before drafting past on the run to Les Combes.
Out front, meanwhile, the familiar sight of a Williams blasting clear in the early stages simply did not happen, with Schumacher able to keep pace with the Canadian racer. Indeed, by lap eight it seemed as if Schumacher was winning the psychological battle if not the physical one, with a huge lock-up for Villeneuve into the Bus Stop damaging the Canadian tyres.
From that moment on Villeneuve picked up a worsening vibration, with his flat-spotted tyres also increasingly prone to locking up on the brakes. Indeed, the Canadian was fast running out of options, with Schumacher remaining glued to his tail as the first stops approached.
Villeneuve's chance looked to have come on lap twelve, for a heavy accident for Jos Verstappen resulted in the safety car being called. Williams immediately radioed Villeneuve to drag him into the pits, although a poor signal saw Villeneuve miss the message and charge past the pitlane.
Williams then hastily called Hill in, although with the pit-equipment setup to receive Villeneuve the Brit was quickly told to stay out. Unfortunately Hill was making his way through the pit-entry as that message was relayed, meaning he slipped behind Mika Häkkinen and Gerhard Berger as he weaved back onto the circuit.
Schumacher, meanwhile, had been planning to stop on lap twelve anyway, and so the safety car had worked beautifully for his strategy. Jean Alesi and Mika Salo also managed to get in on the first of four safety car laps, with Villeneuve and Hill slipping to fifth and thirteenth respectively in the confusion.
The two non-stopping had shuffled to the head of the pack when the race resumed, with Schumacher unable to get past either driver as Villeneuve dealt with Alesi. Hill, meanwhile, would pick-up a handful of places on the first green flag lap, before the field began to stretch out.
Schumacher and Villeneuve found themselves stuck behind the two McLarens, with a brief handling issue for Schumacher almost prompting the German ace to give up on safety grounds. However, once the two McLaren's made their sole pitstops his handling improved, resulting in Schumacher and Villeneuve blasting away from Alesi in third.
The second round of stops saw Villeneuve complete an extra lap compared to Schumacher, although a mistake on his in-lap ensured that the Ferrari remained ahead. Alesi, meanwhile, would slip behind Häkkinen int he swap, while Hill used his second set of tyres to battle his way up into the top six, fighting with Coulthard and Berger before the Scot spun off.
Once Hill vaulted past a spinning Berger the race was effectively over, with Schumacher able to keep Villeneuve at arm's length to secure his second win for Ferrari. The Canadian racer was an unhappy second ahead of Häkkinen, while Hill ran out of time to catch Alesi and so had to settle for fifth.
==Background==
Victory for Jacques Villeneuve ensured that the battle for Championship was still an active one with four rounds to go, the Canadian racer leaving Hungary seventeen behind his teammate. Indeed, Damon Hill would all but win the Championship in Belgium if he won with Villeneuve failing to score, with the Canadian now officially the only man who could deny him a maiden title. Behind Jean Alesi had inched away from Michael Schumacher in third, while Mika Häkkinen moved into the top five.
The fight for the Constructors Championship, meanwhile, was officially over, with leaving Budapest with a 90 point lead over . With only 64 points left to fight for it was therefore impossible for the Italian registered team to get back on terms, meaning Williams had their fourth title in five seasons. Benetton were therefore in a fight to finish second, having inched further away from and .
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Michael Schumacher 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F310 	 	046 3.0 V10 	
2 	Eddie Irvine 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F310 	 	046 3.0 V10 	
3 	Jean Alesi 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B196 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
4 	Gerhard Berger 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B196 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
5 	Damon Hill 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW18 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW18 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
7 	Mika Häkkinen 	Marlboro McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/11B 	 	FO 110D 3.0 V10 	
8 	David Coulthard 	Marlboro McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/11B 	 	FO 110D 3.0 V10 	
9 	Olivier Panis 	Equipe Ligier Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS43 	 	MF301HA 3.0 V10 	
10 	Pedro Diniz 	Equipe Ligier Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS43 	 	MF301HA 3.0 V10 	
11 	Rubens Barrichello 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	196 	 	A12 3.0 V10 	
12 	Martin Brundle 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	196 	 	A12 3.0 V10 	
14 	Johnny Herbert 	Red Bull Sauber Ford 	 	C15 	 	JD Zetec-R 3.0 V8 	
15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Red Bull Sauber Ford 	 	C15 	 	JD Zetec-R 3.0 V8 	
16 	Ricardo Rosset 	Footwork Hart 	 	FA17 	 	830 3.0 V8 	
17 	Jos Verstappen 	Footwork Hart 	 	FA17 	 	830 3.0 V8 	
18 	Ukyo Katayama 	Tyrrell Yamaha 	 	024 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
19 	Mika Salo 	Tyrrell Yamaha 	 	024 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
20 	Pedro Lamy 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M195B 	 	EDM 3.0 V8 	
21 	Giovanni Lavaggi 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M195B 	 	EDM 3.0 V8 	
Source:'Belgium 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Report===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Gap 	Ave. Speed
1 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:50.574 	— 	226.860 km/h
2 	5 	Damon Hill 	 	1:50.980 	+0.406s 	226.030 km/h
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:51.778 	+1.204s 	224.416 km/h
4 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	1:51.884 	+1.310s 	224.204 km/h
5 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:51.960 	+1.386s 	224.051 km/h
6 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:52.318 	+1.744s 	223.337 km/h
7 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:52.354 	+1.780s 	223.266 km/h
8 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:52.977 	+2.403s 	222.035 km/h
9 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:53.043 	+2.469s 	221.905 km/h
10 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:53.152 	+2.578s 	221.691 km/h
11 	15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:53.199 	+2.625s 	221.599 km/h
12 	14 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:53.993 	+3.419s 	220.056 km/h
13 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	1:54.095 	+3.521s 	219.859 km/h
14 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:54.220 	+3.646s 	219.618 km/h
15 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:54.700 	+4.126s 	218.699 km/h
16 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:55.150 	+4.576s 	217.845 km/h
17 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:55.371 	+4.797s 	217.427 km/h
18 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	1:56.286 	+5.712s 	215.716 km/h
19 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	1:56.830 	+6.256s 	214.712 km/h
107% Time: 1:58.314 	107% Time: 1:58.314 	107% Time: 1:58.314 	107% Time: 1:58.314 	107% Time: 1:58.314 	107% Time: 1:58.314 	107% Time: 1:58.314
NC 	21 	Giovanni Lavaggi 	 	1:58.579 	+8.005s 	211.545 km/h
Source:'Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/650/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 16/08/2019)'Belgium 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/650/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 16/08/2019)'Belgium 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/650/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 16/08/2019)'Belgium 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/650/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 16/08/2019)'Belgium 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/650/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 16/08/2019)'Belgium 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/650/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 16/08/2019)'Belgium 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/650/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 16/08/2019)'Belgium 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
===Grid===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	44 	1:28:15.125 	3 	10
2 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	44 	+5.602s 	1 	6
3 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	44 	+15.710s 	6 	4
4 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	44 	+19.125s 	7 	3
5 	5 	Damon Hill 	 	44 	+29.179s 	2 	2
6 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	44 	+29.896s 	5 	1
7 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	44 	+1:00.754 	13 	
8 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	44 	+1:40.227 	17 	
9 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	43 	+1 Lap 	18 	
10 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	43 	+1 Lap 	19 	
Ret 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	37 	Spin 	4 	
Ret 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	34 	Engine 	8 	
Ret 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	29 	Gearbox 	9 	
Ret 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	29 	Suspension 	10 	
Ret 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	22 	Electrical 	15 	
Ret 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	11 	Accident 	16 	
Ret 	15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	0 	Collision 	11 	
Ret 	14 	Johnny Herbert 	 	0 	Collision 	12 	
Ret 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	0 	Collision 	14 	
DNQ 	21 	Giovanni Lavaggi 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Belgium 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* 500th Grand Prix entry for a car using #10 as its race number.'1996 Belgian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1996&gp=Belgian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 16/08/2019)
* 21st career victory for Michael Schumacher.'13. Belgium 1996', statsf1.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 16/08/2019)
* secured their 107th win as both a constructor and engine supplier.
* Jacques Villeneuve scored his tenth podium finish.
==Standings==
Damon Hill had seen his Championship lead cut to thirteen points after his pit issues, although teammate Jacques Villeneuve believed he should have taken more out of the Brit's lead. Indeed, Villeneuve was genuinely expecting to challenge for the title in his maiden F1 season, although he knew he would have to take more than four points a race out of Hill's advantage. Behind Michael Schumacher had moved back into third, a point ahead of Jean Alesi, with Mika Häkkinen completing the top five.
In the Constructors Championship had ended the weekend on 149 points, moving them 94 points clear of second placed . Indeed, the now Italian registered team had also lost ground to in third, with just seven point separating the two with three rounds to go. were seven further back in fourth, meaning they were still in the hunt, while were a distant fifth.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Damon Hill 	81 	
2 	Jacques Villeneuve 	68 	
3 	Michael Schumacher 	39 	1
4 	Jean Alesi 	38 	1
5 	Mika Häkkinen 	23 	
6 	David Coulthard 	18 	
7 	Gerhard Berger 	17 	
8 	Olivier Panis 	13 	
9 	Rubens Barrichello 	12 	
10 	Eddie Irvine 	9 	
11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	6 	
12 	Mika Salo 	5 	
13 	Johnny Herbert 	4 	
14 	Martin Brundle 	3 	
15 	Pedro Diniz 	1 	
16 	Jos Verstappen 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	149 	
2 	 	55 	
3 	 	48 	
4 	 	41 	
5 	 	15 	
6 	 	14 	
7 	 	10 	
8 	 	5 	
9 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1996 Grands Prix
Category:Belgian Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Belgium