Dutch and Belgian GP bosses play down 2024 F1 calendar rumours
Jun.9 - Organisers of the Belgian and Dutch grands prix have played down reports they will be forced to annually alternate their events from as early as next year.
According to the Belgian broadcaster Sporza, Dutch and Belgian GP bosses play down 2024 F1 calendar rumours promoter Vanessa Maes will meet in London with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali on Monday to discuss the future of the fabled Spa-Francorchamps race.
But Maes played down speculation the subject of their conversation will be the rumoured alternation deal with Zandvoort rather than a standard new contract.
"Nothing has been confirmed yet. These are pure speculations," she insisted.
"I only have a hunch why those messages are being spread just now," said Maes. "And that could have to do with the news about South Africa in particular."
It is rumoured that F1 has had to abandon its plans for a 2024 South African GP at Kyalami due to the country's supposed ties with Vladimir Putin.
Maes says it's all just rumours.
"It is FOM that communicates about the calendar in F1 and no one else," she said. "We would prefer to sign a multi-year contract as before, but we will always be happy with what we get.
"Last year we proved that we can organise a grand prix according to current standards and conditions as much as possible and as a reward we received not only congratulations, but also a one-year contract extension," Maes explained.
"We will have to wait and see what FOM decides now."
As for the Dutch F1 GP, the rumours said Zandvoort may in fact be missing from the 2024 calendar as the Spa alternation deal begins - despite the circuit's existing contract.
"Like our colleagues in Francorchamps, we were also surprised by the recent speculation," said Dutch F1 GP chief and former F1 driver Jan Lammers.
"This literally fell from the sky and it's hot air."
Lammers particularly denied the claims that F1 may not go to Zandvoort at all next year.
"We still have 2023, 2024 and 2025 to finish on the contract. We still have a lot to look forward to in Zandvoort," he said.
When asked if it would be a 'pity' if the Dutch F1 GP had to take a back seat to F1's calendar pressures, Lammers insisted: "This is the same as saying that it would be a pity that Max Verstappen retires."
Another pity would be if Spa-Francorchamps dropped off the schedule.
"Look, Francorchamps is one of the most beautiful circuits in the world," Lammers said. "I've always raced there myself with great pleasure.
"But again, I'm not deciding on that. It's just something that's not on the agenda right now."
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Liberty is changing F1 to suit their financial returns , and showing contempt for the real fans. The grid walks , especially in the USA are packed with "numb nut" celebrities who have nil interest in motor racing. They just parade their presence to further their ego and Liberty use them as a "draw" for the silly people who attend races, but with nil interest in the sport. Bring back Mr E!!
Liberty is changing F1 to suit their financial returns , and showing contempt for the real fans. The races at Spa and Zandvoort are for the real fans -not "numb nut" celebrities who have nil interest in motor racing.
I was at Spa for the WEC race- and with the mofified stands - its even better. These races must contiune to be annual events. Bring back Mr E!!
Bi-annual alternation is indeed unlikely & while Spa-Francorchamps would, of course, prefer a multi-year commitment, they're probably only going to get a single-year extension again before getting dropped for another African location, Colombia, or something else.
The Belgian and dutch GP s are v entertaining.gps I'd like to travel to
As I have said before, Spa is the greatest motor racing circuit on the planet, the Holy Grail of motor racing! Even Domenicali is quoted as saying that Spa is the most popular F1 race on the calendar ~ or was he just trying to appease his audience? Maybe he spoke with forked tongue!
If Spa is replaced by some other circuit then my interest in F1 will seriously wane, and WEC will become my #1 motor sport series.
Liberty is turning F1 into an entertainment venue. Get the need to make money but a lot of this is pure nonsense. I hate celebrities walking on the grid. I would bet most of them have no idea what F1 is all about. Their manners, dress, attitude is an unwelcome part of the race. Cheapens these events. Watching Le Man's this weekend, Lebron James looked bored and didn’t even act like he wanted to be there. What is the point? Brought nothing to the race.
I don’t watch for is was there. I watch the race!
Watched the race and it was carnage with the rain. But Ferrari won. Agree that having an Amercian star of a US sport is misplaced for a broadly Euorpean event. Americans compete at Le Mans but it does not refekect their sporting style/aspirations. Will the F1 race in Canada have the grid walk "numb nut" celebrities showing their presence and nil interrst in racing ?? Probably . This is "Liberty progress" for a SPORT> ???
Point of order, Nick.
F1 is no longer a sport, it is a marketing and money making machine for Liberty Media. It is a business with the sole purpose of making money for their shareholders. F1 ceased being a sport about the time that Eccles took over and made it a quasi-sport / business. Now it is strictly a business designed to make money.
You are spot on with your comments, Susan. Under the ownership of Liberty Media, F1 is becoming a venue for all the so-called "celebrity" wonkers to promote themselves.
The only credible "celebrities" I recall being part of F1 are George Harrison (before his passing) and Rowan Atkinson, who both had a genuine interest in motor racing and attended on many occasions. They were there because they enjoyed the whole concept of F1, and didn't go to be seen on the grid!
I also watched Le Mans on the weekend, but was fortunate enough to not see Lebron James, or any other "celebrities". IMO their attendance belittles motor racing. You are absolutely correct, their whole demeanour is one of self interest with no interest in motor racing. They are a wasted space! Whenever TV cameras start finding the "celebrities" before a race I switch off and await the time for the cars to commence their lap around to the grid for the race start.
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