Spa future in doubt
In the Belgian paddock, though, it's apparently not all hunky-dory for the future of Spa Francorchamps' beloved event.
Like last year, government officials will probably leap to the rescue as ticket sales again fail to match up to the point of breaking even. The news follows Monza, where even Ferrari's ardent Tifosi did not turn out in their masses.
''Francorchamps has a future, but only at a reasonable cost,'' Jean-Claude Marcourt, the regional economics minister in Belgium, told Friday's daily 'Le Soir' newspaper.
Blamed for the recent drop in F1 interest are escalated ticket prices and the slouching economy, but also F1 regulations that discourage practice running and cars that are near-useless when it comes to overtaking.
The cheapest race-day ticket at Spa is $186, but if you want a seat, be prepared to fork out $455.
Title leader Fernando Alonso, though, said the problem is not widespread. At his home grand prix, in Barcelona, the grandstands were completely full.
''F1 is still the world's biggest event,'' the Spaniard claimed. BAR's Jenson Button told a similar story — Silverstone, home of the British grand prix, was a sell-out.