In 1920, the idea of taking advantage of the triangle formed by the roads connecting Malmedy, Stavelot and Francorchamps to make a racing track was born. By August 1921, track preparations had been completed. However, the circuit´s inaugural event was not a car race but a motorcycle event due to a lack of interest. Cars eventually made their debut at Spa in 1922.

1924 saw Spa host the first 24-hour race. That was followed by the first significant single-seater event in 1925, namely the European Grand Prix. Of the seven cars that took part, Antonio Ascari won in an Alfa Romeo.

The Second World War brought an end to racing at Spa for seven years, up until 1947. 1970 witnessed the last race on the old course which, up to then, had been 14 kilometres long. Cars had become too fast for the track and drivers refused to accept the risks involved. The current circuit opened in 1979.

In 2003, Spa did not host a Formula One race due to tobacco advertising restrictions. In the interim, modifications were carried out around the old Bus Stop chicane and the track was extended by ten metres. The track was also absent from the race calender in 2006.

Other well-known features of the circuit, apart from Eau Rouge, are the fast Blanchimont section and La Source, the hairpin soon after the start which saw the biggest pile-up in Formula One history in 1998, fortunately without any injury to the drivers involved.