The factory teams were out in force for the Belgian Grand Prix on the 14.1-kilometre Francorchamps circuit, through the wooded hills and valleys near Malmedy and Stavelot, and the Royal Automobile club of Belgium assured each team two starting grid positions, irrespective of the fact that three of the number-two drivers had never been to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit before. This caused a certain amount of dissati
sfaction among the private teams and independent runners, as there was starting money for sixteen cars only and twelve of these were works cars, but the RACB originally said they would only invite six private entries to compete for the four paid starting places during practice.
When the official list of runners was published it was found that ten non-works cars had been invited, with only four to qualify. In consequence of this there was a certain amount of lobbying in the paddock on Friday afternoon and none of the private entries turned out for practice, leaving the track clear for the twelve invited factory drivers.
