After the race at Imola, in Italy, the “circus” moved north to Belgium for the next round in the Formula One Championship series. Unlike a true travelling circus the teams did not move en bloc, but all sped back to their homes in Italy, Germany. France and England where rebuilding, development, testing, and experiment continued, together with analysis and reckoning on the results of the Imola race. Some teams even found time to send their “test team” with a development car to a circuit for some practical test work. In Formula One you cannot stand still and rest on your laurels; the pace at the head of the field is very high and competitive. Even at the back of the field you have to keep at it, or you will get left behind and eventually get left out altogether.
By Thursday May 14th the teams were all re-assembled, this time in the paddock on the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps in the southeast corner of Belgium, not far from the frontiers with Germany and Luxemburg, and the spectacular countryside on the edge of the Ardennes forests in the Haute-Fagnes. The National Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps is either good or bad, there is very little in the way of compromise. When the sun shines it is glorious, when it rains it is foreboding and gloomy,but either way it is the best circuit on the International Calendar; some would say it is the best circuit in the world. Certainly, anyone who calls himself a professional Grand Prix driver loves it; they also hate it at times, but just suggest that somebody else could take their place for this one race, and see what the reaction would be.
For the two days of practice and qualifying it rained; not continuously, but heavily and at intervals between bouts of sunshine, and on Saturday afternoon it was so cold that rain turned to hailstones and there was snow on the distant hills. Friday qualifying was a complete lottery and the times were fairly meaningless, though the wet conditions did allow drivers to demonstrate their skill and delicate touch, and some stood out from the general pack. It was not only the stars who shone through the murk, the likes of Senna, Prost, Piquet and Alboreto were expected, but Alessandro Nannini in a Minardi, and Ivan Capelli in the 31/2-litre Cosworth-powered March, were shining with similar brightness.
