Spa Strives to Secure Annual F1 Race Amid Future Uncertainty
Jul.10 - The promoter of the legendary Belgian GP at fabled Spa-Francorchamps says the event wants to dodge Formula 1's plans to annually alternate some European races in the future.
After next weekend's Hungarian GP, F1 will complete its pre-August break schedule at Spa, with promoter Vanessa Maes revealing that ticket sales are going well.
"There are less than 1,500 places available," she is quoted by France's Auto Hebdo. "They should be gone in the next few days.
"For the first time in a few years, the Dutch will not be in the majority, making up just under 20 percent of the public. We are seeing a strong comeback of the English and Germans and especially the French."
The bad news, however, is that 2025 is the final yet in the current Belgian GP contract with Formula 1 - with the sport openly exploring pairing some European rounds in the future that will then annually rotate hosting rights.
"In agreement with the political authorities, we are fighting to secure a multi-year contract without alternation from 2026," Maes admits.
"The fact that the previous political majority was renewed should help us," she added. "The condition is that Liberty Media is reasonable in its financial demands.
"Every year, the Walloon region has to dig into its pockets to cover the deficit of the grand prix, so that cannot take on excessively large proportions."
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The organizers certainly prefer annual-hosting to the bi-annual option, but ultimately, they don't have the final say on the matter, so we'll see, & I still expect the Benelux circuits to rotate together, & likewise the Italian circuits in the same fashion.