Brussels-Leopold III

The first Formula 2 race of 1949 was held on a featureless circuit in the northeastern suburbs of Brussels on 22 May 1949. The circuit was simple – using both sides of the new Boulevard Léopold III from the Boulevard Général Wahis in Scharbeek to Evere airfield – linked by two cobbled hairpins. Famed administrator Charles Faroux was not impressed: “The Brussels circuit is worthless and proves nothing.” Ferrari enticed Luigi Villoresi to leave Scuderia Ambrosiana and Maserati, and he won on debut by four laps after team-mate Franco Cortese retired. Bill Aston’s Cooper-JAP prevailed in the 500cc F3 race. The circuit was not used again, and it would be 11 years before the Brussels Grand Prix was repeated in Heysel.