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Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the best circuits on the F1 calendar and no F1 driver can deny this. Be it Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, or Max Verstappen, everyone loves the high-speed straights and winding turns of the circuit. Max Verstappen has a second reason to love this track. It’s more like a second home for the Red Bull driver after Zandvoort.
The Dutch driver enjoys huge support at the Belgian GP as the sea of ‘Orange fans is visible from far out during the Belgian Grand Prix. However, F1 can lose one of its iconic racetracks. Currently, Spa has a deal worth around $22 Million a year which expires at the end of the 2022 calendar. This means this year could be the last time the fans get to see one of the best race tracks on the F1 calendar.
But there is a possibility that F1 retains Spa in its next year’s calendar as the Government of Wallonia and the Federal Government of Belgium have expressed their interest in retaining the race. A dossier was forwarded in a recent meeting between the two governments and F1 management.
Also, Belgian’s Economy Minister Willy Borsus has made it clear to the Government of Wallonia that Spa will have a certain future in F1 which eventually means there will be financial support to host the race. However, it is worth noting that if Spa wants to retain a place in the 2023 calendar, the Belgian government will have to fork out close to $50 Million yearly to keep track of the sport.
The reason being F1 is looking to expand beyond Europe which puts many circuits at the risk of losing out. And with new circuits popping up in Miami, Las Vegas, and Qatar in 2023, it will be tough to find a spot as the calendar will host 23 races. Also, these newer circuits like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have splashed up to $50-$55 million for long-term contracts, so Spa will have to spend something close to $50 million.