Spa to alternate with Nurburgring

The organisers of the Belgian Grand Prix have confirmed that annually alternating their Formula One race with the Nurburgring is an option for the future.

Based on an article in the La Libre newspaper earlier this week, we reported that Spa-Francorchamps – with a contract through 2012 – is contemplating the option because it cannot afford to pay the race fees to Bernie Ecclestone every twelve months. Chief Belgian GP organiser Etienne Davignon on Sunday confirmed the event makes a loss every year and that talks with the F1 chief executive about an alternate plan are underway.

"If we alternate the race, for example with the Nurburgring – and I don't know if they are interested or not – then we keep the fans that come to F1, we get more income, and that goes against the loss," he said.

Spa and the Nurburgring, in Germany, are separated by geography in western Europe by merely 120 kilometres.

Davignon said alternating with F1's other German host had also been an option, but Hockenheim is expected to have a regular annual date on the F1 calendars of the future.