Belgian Grand Prix gets the green light to go ahead without spectators

Spa given permission to lose millions and go belly-up

The Belgian Formula One Grand Prix, scheduled for the end of August but threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, can go ahead without spectators, regional authorities said on Friday. No spectators = no revenue = huge financial loss for the race promoter.

The Formula One season has yet to start, with three races cancelled and seven postponed, but series organizers are planning to get going in July with two races behind closed doors in Austria.

The government has said no sports or cultural events can take place before June 30 but sports clubs can resume training in the presence of a coach and with no more than 20 people present from May 18.

"The Belgian Grand Prix can be held behind closed doors, as well as all the necessary prior training," the Belgian region of Wallonia said in a statement.