Spa could fill vacant F1 slots in rotation years

Spa-Francorchamps could feature on the Formula 1 calendar in more years than its new rotational schedule guarantees, says circuit chairman Melchior Wathelet.

After a stretch of doubt about its future, the Belgian GP secured a fresh six-year agreement earlier this year that runs through 2031.

The deal confirms races in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031, with 2028 and 2030 currently scheduled to be allocated to other venues under Liberty Media’s expansion strategy, but Wathelet told Dutch magazine Formule 1: “Maybe there will be races in the other two years as well – I’m not ruling anything out.”

The former Belgian deputy prime minister, who oversees both the grand prix organisation and the Spa circuit, noted: “In principle, there will be another circuit on the calendar in 2028 and 2030 instead of Spa-Francorchamps, but still, what if this doesn’t happen or doesn’t work out?

“Then the Belgians would be more than happy to fill the vacancy. The contract is for a minimum of four races in those years, not the maximum.”

Wathelet described Spa’s current popularity as “enormous, greater than ever,” citing the influence of Netflix’s Drive to Survive and the success of the Brad Pitt Formula 1 film.

He said: “About a third of our visitors are under 34, and about a third are also women. There’s a great mix, and that’s exactly what we want. It helps keep the sport attractive, especially in Europe, where competition for attention is fierce.”

While acknowledging Liberty Media’s “strict” negotiations, he credited support from the Walloon Region for helping close the six-year contract “They do ensure a very good image for Formula 1,” he said of Liberty.

 “The sport is currently very strong. Many countries want to host a race, and that’s causing the calendar to shift more and more. We now have a six-year contract with four races, which gives us perspective for the coming years, the medium term.”

For Spa, the key was securing races at least through 2027. “And after that, too, like in 2029 and 2031,” Wathelet said. “So not in 2028 and 2030, at least it’s possible we won’t have a race then, but it’s also possible we will, although I won’t put a percentage on that.”

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