In recent months we’ve seen more and more race deals renewed and extended way into the future, making the situation more precarious for those events that were falling out of contract and don’t have bottomless pockets, which is the case for France and Belgium, notwithstanding their supposed “classic” status.
As noted Spa may yet have a reprieve for 2023, but the vibes from the F1 camp have been generally negative about the place, implying that the huge safety and grandstand changes that the organisers have made to their venue since last year have not helped its status.
Spa at risk despite support from F1 drivers
There has been vague talk about Belgium and France being part of a group of alternating races, but no concrete plan has emerged.
“It would be a big shame to lose Spa,” Max Verstappen said recently. “It’s my favourite track in the world, and also with the recent changes they did to the run-off and stuff. I think it’s just an amazing track in an F1 car, any car to be honest, with all the high-speed corners and the flow it has in general.”
“I think there’s a compromise to be found,” said Carlos Sainz. “Because in the end, I think we all love going to France, to Spa, but at the same time the sport is growing so much that I guess there’s a lot of new places that are, I guess, paying quite a lot of money to be part of Formula 1.
“And it’s difficult, as a business point of view, to say no to that, especially one of the overseas races – Vegas, South Africa, Miami, there’s really interesting new places to go to that I’m in favour of going, but at the same time, we need to keep the calendar under 25 races.
“If not, this is going to go a bit crazy for everyone, even mechanics, engineers, us drivers. It could be too much so new places are welcome, but for sure some others need to fall.”
