1982 Belgian Grand Prix

Previous race

Didier Pironi won at Imola in deeply controversial circumstances. With only the two Ferraris and a distant Michele Alboreto left running after the Renaults retired, Ferrari displayed “slow” signals from the pitwall to preserve the cars. Gilles Villeneuve, leading, interpreted this as an instruction to hold position; Pironi overtook him on the final lap to win. Villeneuve, furious, said: “I’ll never speak to Pironi again in my life.” The two are not on speaking terms when they arrive at Zolder.

Between-race developments

Slim Borgudd has left Tyrrell after three rounds — his sponsorship money ran out. Brian Henton, who had been at Arrows since taking over from Patrick Tambay after South Africa, moves to Tyrrell from this race. Marc Surer, having recovered from the broken feet sustained in pre-season testing, returns to Arrows.

Championship standings

Prost leads the championship, six points ahead of Lauda, with Watson and Rosberg equal in third. Only the FISA-aligned teams scored at San Marino, but all the FOCA teams are back this round, and with Prost having retired at Imola, his lead is narrower than expected.