Belgian Grand Prix 1972 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Emerson Fittipaldi extended his championship lead with a controlled victory at the Belgian Grand Prix at the uninspiring Nivelles-Baulers circuit, demonstrating the consistency that would define his title-winning season. The Brazilian held off François Cevert's Tyrrell and Denny Hulme's McLaren to claim his second win of 1972, managing his Lotus 72D's pace expertly over the race distance. The victory at the unloved Belgian venue highlighted Fittipaldi's ability to win anywhere, regardless of circuit characteristics.

The race at Nivelles, a modern but characterless circuit near Brussels that had replaced the legendary Spa-Francorchamps, saw Fittipaldi execute a perfect strategic race. Starting from a strong grid position, he built an early lead and controlled the gap to his pursuers throughout, never allowing Cevert to mount a serious challenge. The young Frenchman drove an excellent race to finish second, continuing his development as Tyrrell's potential future leader, while Hulme's third place maintained McLaren's consistent scoring.

Stewart's disappointing retirement from the race with mechanical issues allowed Fittipaldi to open a significant championship gap, demonstrating the crucial role reliability would play in the title chase. The Lotus 72D's combination of speed and durability was proving decisive, and Fittipaldi's smooth driving style was perfectly suited to conserving machinery. The Belgian Grand Prix, though held at a forgettable venue that would soon be dropped from the calendar, represented an important step toward Fittipaldi's first World Championship.