Formula 1 historical archive

John Watson won the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix

John Watson won the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix for McLaren, ahead of Keke Rosberg and Eddie Cheever at Circuit Zolder.

Browse the full classification, related season, driver, team, circuit, and championship history.

Race recap

Winner
John Watson
Team
McLaren
Top listed
John Watson, Keke Rosberg, and Eddie Cheever
Race date
May 9, 1982
Pole
Alain Prost
Fastest lap
John Watson
Classified drivers
32
Circuit
Circuit Zolder

The decisive result

John Watson finished first for McLaren. Keke Rosberg is listed 2 for Williams, with Eddie Cheever 3 for Ligier.

Grid to finish

Chico Serra from P23 to P6 (+17), Raul Boesel from P24 to P8 (+16), and Marc Surer from P22 to P7 (+15) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Alain Prost started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 3 +4 laps, 3 Engine, 3 Spun off, 2 +3 laps, and 2 Clutch. John Watson holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:20.214 on lap 67. It records the result without speculating about incidents or strategy.

This summary sticks to the classification and does not speculate about incidents, strategy, weather, or causes. Source: F1DB (CC BY 4.0) · updated Jul 26, 2026.

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Race classification
PosDriverConstructorTime / statusPoints
1John WatsonMcLaren1:35:41.9959
2Keke RosbergWilliams1:35:49.2636
3Eddie CheeverLigier+1 lap4
4Elio de AngelisTeam Lotus+2 laps3
5Nelson PiquetBrabham+3 laps2
6Chico SerraFittipaldi+3 laps1
7Marc SurerArrows+4 laps0
8Raul BoeselMarch+4 laps0
9Jacques LaffiteLigier+4 laps0
DNFDerek DalyWilliamsSpun off0
DNFJochen MassMarchEngine0
DNFAlain ProstRenaultSpun off0
DNFRiccardo PatreseBrabhamSpun off0
DNFMauro BaldiArrowsThrottle0
DNFJean-Pierre JarierOsellaBroken wing0
DNFAndrea de CesarisAlfa RomeoGearbox0
DNFBrian HentonTyrrellEngine0
DNFMichele AlboretoTyrrellEngine0
DNFDerek WarwickTolemanTransmission0
DNFTeo FabiTolemanBrakes0