1992 Belgian Grand Prix

Previous race

Senna won in Hungary while Mansell finished second to clinch the Drivers’ Championship with five races still to run, the earliest the title had been secured in Formula One history. Patrese spun off from the lead on lap 39, then suffered engine failure after rejoining, and scored no points.

Entrants

There is no pre-qualifying session at Spa as the Brabham team has not arrived at the circuit due to financial problems and an impending sale. With thirty cars remaining — the maximum allowed — all proceed directly to the main qualifying sessions. Emanuele Naspetti makes his Grand Prix debut for March, replacing Paul Belmondo.

Andrea Moda were formally warned by FISA after Hungary to make a proper effort to run both cars here, or face suspension from the following race.

Ferrari milestone

This round marks Ferrari’s official 500th start in a World Championship event.

Practice

Érik Comas suffered a heavy crash during Friday practice and was briefly knocked unconscious. Ayrton Senna, encountering Comas’s stationary car on the circuit, stopped to help and cut off the car’s engine to reduce the risk of fire. Comas later credited this action with likely having saved his life. Comas was advised by doctors not to drive again over the weekend and was withdrawn from qualifying.

Gerhard Berger also had a serious accident during practice, a 160 mph crash down the hill in the wet at the entrance to Eau Rouge, the back of the car catching fire. Berger was uninjured.

Qualifying

Mansell takes pole ahead of Senna and Schumacher. Both Andrea Moda cars fail to qualify — the first time this season both cars have been present at qualifying. Perry McCarthy reported to his team that the steering rack was flexing dangerously during his run at the 170 mph Eau Rouge section; team boss Sassetti acknowledged the team already knew the rack was faulty, having previously been fitted to Moreno’s car with the same reported problem. McCarthy quit the team after Friday qualifying.