Photo credit: Joost Evers / Gahetna, Nationaal Archief (Public Domain, CC0)
Joost Evers / Source: Gahetna, Nationaal Archief (Public Domain, CC0)
The story of Jackie Stewart at the Belgian GP; the race that changed F1 forever; some use the word like, the 25 minutes F1 died and was reborn.
F1 did not become safer overnight, and it did not happen by chance.
From that race onward, the transformation began because one driver experienced firsthand how unprepared the sport was for serious accidents and decided that things had to change, for the better.
That moment came during the 1966 Belgian GP at Spa, when Jackie Stewart walked away from an accident that reshaped F1 future.
F1 was trying to find more speed at the time; cars were getting faster but the safety standards were not keeping up.
Spa-Francorchamps in the 1960s
In the 1960s, Spa Francorchamps was very different from the modern circuit; it was modernized in 1979.
It followed public roads through forests and small villages; creating one of the fastest and most challenging tracks in the world.
Drivers respected Spa, but they also feared it; racing there required commitment and bravery, and speaking openly about safety concerns was uncommon; at the time, danger was considered part of the sport.
A Race Changed by Weather
Jackie Stewart 1966 crash at Spa Francorchamps;
The 1966 Belgian GP; unpredictable conditions, heavy rain arrived suddenly, making the circuit extremely difficult to navigate; visibility dropped, grip disappeared and standing water formed on the racing line.
Within the opening lap, several cars lost control; many drivers were forced to retire early, unable to continue in such condition; Jackie Stewart, driving for BRM, was one of those caught out.
The Accident at Masta Kink – Jackie Stewart 1966
As Jackie Stewart approached the high-speed Masta Kink, his car encountered water on the race track and lost traction; with little control available, the car left the road and came to a stop away from the racing surface.
The accident happened far from the main facilities; and Jackie Stewart was unable to exit the car on his own. While the car itself absorbed much of the impact, the situation quickly highlighted deeper problems.
Delays and Lack of Support
At the time, there were no dedicated medical teams or rescue crews positioned close to every part of the circuit and help did not arrive immediately.
Other drivers, including Graham Hill and Bob Bondurant, stopped after their own incidents and went to assist Stewart; using basic tools, they were able to help him out of the car; the entire process took far longer than would be acceptable by modern standards.
After the Accident
Jackie Stewart was taken away from the scene using whatever transport was available.
Medical facilities at the circuit were limited and reaching a fully equipped hospital took additional time.
He later recovered from his injuries but the experience left a lasting impression.
What troubled Jackie Stewart most was not the accident itself, but how unprepared the sport had been to respond to it.
👉 Graham Hill’s Final F1 Project
👉 Forgotten Stewart GP Team
A Turning Point for Jackie Stewart in F1
The accident at Spa-Francorchamps in 1966, became a defining moment in Jackie Stewart’s career. From that point forward, he began speaking openly about the need for better safety standards in Formula 1.
He believed that drivers should not rely on luck or personal bravery to survive; instead, he wanted something more; circuits, teams, and organizers needed to take responsibility for protecting drivers.
Pushing for Change
Jackie Stewart started to push more; he wanted better on-site medical care, safer circuit layouts, improved barriers and higher standards for protective equipment; he also encouraged drivers to stand together when conditions were unacceptable.
At time, his views were unpopular; some felt that safety discussions distracted from racing; Stewart remained firm, believing that progress was necessary.
Long-Term Impact on Formula 1
Over time, many of the changes Stewart supported became standard; dedicated medical teams, improved circuit safety and stricter regulations gradually transformed the sport.
While in the ’70s, it was still risky; but working on safety has never stopped since then.
Jackie Stewart’s Beyond Results
He won three world championships but he has often said that improving safety was his most important contribution to F1.
The events at Spa in 1966 did not end his career; instead; they gave him a purpose beyond winning races.
The Reason We Remember Spa 1966
Looking back, Spa 1966 represents a moment when F1 began to change direction; it showed that progress was possible in the future but only if the sport was willing to listen and adapt.
Today; F1 has changed a lot, drivers benefit from systems built on experiences like this one.
Jackie Stewart did more than a race at Spa in 1966; he helped ensure that future generations could compete in a safer environment.
👉 Jo Bonnier: Sweden’s F1 Hero And His Crash at Spa
👉 Chris Bristow: Lost at Spa
