Rumor: Spa may only get a 1-year extension (Update)

(GMM) The future of the Belgian GP at the fabled Spa-Francorchamps circuit is now looking more secure, promoter Vanessa Maes admits.

She recently met in London with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to discuss the race’s expiring contract, amid rumors Spa could be the next victim of the Liberty Media-fuelled push into new markets.

But the London meeting reportedly went well, and Maes subsequently travelled to Canada for more talks with Domenicali over the Montreal race weekend.

“The appointment was positive,” Maes told the Belgian broadcaster RTBF. “He is now open to discussions with us.

“We’re not getting carried away – we haven’t signed anything yet. But things seem to be heading in the right direction.”

However, Maes also seemed to confirm that the contract under discussion is only for a single race – 2024. Beyond that, there are strong rumors that an annual ‘Benelux GP’ will be rotated between Spa and Zandvoort in the Netherlands.

“We don’t know yet what will happen after 2025,” Maes admits.

“We know that Liberty Media wants a future with Spa-Francorchamps, when two years ago it was looking very difficult. They told us clearly that they no longer wanted to come to Belgium.

“But we worked a lot and that allowed us to be where we are now – that we can say that our country deserves to be on the calendar. We are a historic circuit but one that is looking to the future.”

As for the rumors of a Spa-Zandvoort annual alternation, she added: “We don’t know about that.

“What is important is to secure 2024. I hope we’ll be on the schedule, but in any case we are led to believe that there are possibilities.

“We’ll see what happens next but we are confident now.”

(GMM) Organizers of the fabled Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps had a “really positive” meeting with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali on Monday.

That is the claim of Gaetan Vigneron, a well-known correspondent for the Belgian news agency RTBF following speculation the talks would be about a new race contract for 2024.

Earlier, promoter Vanessa Maes dismissed as “pure speculation” reports that Spa’s best hope of keeping the race next year might be an annual rotation deal with Dutch GP host Zandvoort.

“We would prefer to sign a multi-year contract as before, but we will always be happy with what we get,” she said.

Maes was accompanied to the London meeting with Domenicali by Melchior Wathelet, president of the race promotion company Spa Grand Prix.

Maes is director-general.

“According to our information,” reports Vigneron, “the outcome of the meeting is really positive.

“Nothing is on paper yet, but we can probably assume that the announcement of a grand prix at Spa for 2024 should not be delayed for much longer.”

However, it is rumored that all Spa may be granted by Domenicali and F1 owner Liberty Media is a single-year contract extension for next season.

Beyond that, Vigneron said: “It’s still too early to tell, but a lot of factors come into play.

“But F1 respects Spa and the feeling at the moment is positive.”