Nivelles-Baulers opened in 1971 as a modern, safer alternative to Spa-Francorchamps. Its flat and rather featureless design hosted the Belgian Grand Prix in 1972 and 1974, but financial failure and a deteriorating surface quickly ended its top-level career.
Emerson Fittipaldi won both Formula 1 races held at Nivelles, first for Lotus and then for McLaren. The circuit later closed, and much of the original site was redeveloped as an industrial estate.
Across 3.724 km, its 7 corners create a distinct rhythm between braking, precision and acceleration. As a permanent racing circuit, it asks drivers and teams to adapt setup, tyre management and race strategy to the venue's particular constraints, while its clockwise direction shapes the sequence of its most demanding sectors.
