F1: Reports of Belgian GP axe premature – Domenicali (2nd Update)

(GMM) Reports that fabled Spa-Francorchamps will definitely lose its Formula 1 race after this weekend’s Belgian GP are premature.

That was the word on Wednesday from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who also said discussions are ongoing with promoters in Monaco and France.

“I read somewhere that it will be the last time in Belgium,” he told international F1 journalists. “I would be careful with that, very careful.”

It appears that Spa’s lifeline could be because the intention to get a grand prix up and running in South Africa has not yet resulted in a clear deal.

“We would like a race in Africa and South Africa is the most obvious place,” said Domenicali. “But we want a stable and clear long-term agreement, not just one year and then it’s over.

“These negotiations still need time.”

Nonetheless, he is unapologetic about endangering the annual race dates of some of the most traditional hosts on the F1 calendar, confirming that the schedule could swell to 24 races in 2023.

“That’s the number we’re looking at,” he confirmed.

“Although there is a lot of demand, I don’t want more than 24. Next season it will be 23 or 24,” said Domenicali, perhaps referring to the uncertain return of the Chinese GP.

And for any races like Paul Ricard that are left without a date, a new alternation scheme for 2024 and beyond could be their way back onto the calendar.

“That could be an option for France, for example, and I hope that Germany will also be back at the table soon,” he confirmed.

“We have always said that even if they don’t bring as much money, we respect the traditional races. But I said to the people in Monza ‘don’t rely on history alone’.

“You have to keep up with the times if you want to stay on the calendar. The negotiations with Belgium are still going on.

“I’m sure I will see them this weekend in my office in Spa,” said the Italian.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali asked in a video call with reporters on Wednesday about the balance between races held in and outside Europe and whether this year could see the last Belgian Grand Prix, Domenicali replied that he couldn’t give too many details of the 2023 schedule, as it has yet to be finalized, but he insisted that Spa still had a chance.

“As you can imagine I cannot comment too much on that, because there is respect of discussing and formalizing through the World Motor Sport Council with the FIA,” he said. “You never saw something [from] me saying that Belgium will be the last year.

“There has been always a point that we have discussed to find the mix of the races where we’re going to have at least one-third in Europe, one third in the Far East area, and the other one in the Americas and Middle East. So, we want to be balanced.

“Of course, we are talking about a business where investments, financial contributions are very important but we have always said that the traditional races, races that we know cannot bring the money that the others are bringing, have a full respect from us,” he added.

“You will see that this will be respected also in the future. With Belgium, discussions are still on.

“We are in Spa this weekend so you will see them (the local promoters) a lot of times in my office.”

(GMM) Formula 1 will awake from its August slumber this weekend to face a sell-out crowd at Belgium’s fabled Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Local media report that the full 360,000 tickets have been sold – but that still may not be enough to help the promoter’s negotiations for a new contract beyond 2022.

“The negotiations with FOM are going well,” race boss Vanassa Maes insisted to De Telegraaf newspaper.

“There are only 25 places on the calendar and everyone is pulling out all the stops to win a grand prix next year. Spa-Francorchamps is a historic and mythical circuit, and we want to show that we embrace the future.”

With Spa’s future so clouded, however, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has been forced to defend himself from accusations that he is “selling the soul of Formula 1”.

“I’m not selling the soul of Formula 1,” he told Sport Bild. “It’s just normal change.

“We are opening up to the whole world,” Domenicali added, referring to F1’s newest races in oil-rich countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia and exciting contemporary destinations such as Miami and Las Vegas.

“Money is important everywhere – also for us,” the Italian admitted. “But we don’t just look at money. The overall package has to be right.

“If we only looked at the bank account, the calendar would definitely look different,” Domenicali told the German magazine.

Rumored 24-Race 2023 Calendar (Rumored Kyalami not shown)