Formula 1 envisages a future with only eight surviving Grands Prix in Europe.
This is according to Belgian politician Melchior Wathelet, who is also president of the promoter of the Belgian Grand Prix through the company Spa Grand Prix.
"I am very satisfied," he said after the announcement that Spa-Francorchamps had signed a new contract with Formula 1 until 2031.
However, the deal announced last week marks the start of F1's new idea of alternating (every other year) some European races, meaning the iconic circuit will be absent from the calendar in 2028 and 2030.
"These discussions have been difficult," a admis Wathelet. “Formula 1 only wants eight Grands Prix in Europe (i.e. a third of the season, the other two thirds being divided between the Americas and Asia, with a race in Africa envisaged, editor's note).”
“So it was difficult to sign a permanent contract for a long period of time.”
“But it is also not certain that there will not be a Grand Prix in Belgium in 2028 and 2030. The spirit of the agreement stipulates that there will be at least four races for us. So in 2028 and 2030, it will perhaps be in another country, but perhaps it will be in Belgium if no other race positions itself.
Wathelet admits that even though Spa enters the rotation system, the cost of the Formula 1 deal has actually increased.
“The amount is higher starting in 2026, but it's a 3 to 4 percent increase. We thought that was reasonable. It's not like it doubled. It's reasonable inflation, which we believe we can recover.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admitted this weekend that he is “possible” that Imola will be the next circuit to enter the rotation pattern, while Assen is now eyeing F1 as Zandvoort stops hosting the Dutch GP after 2026.
Note that Barcelona has also announced its intention to remain on the calendar despite the arrival of Madrid in 2026 (which takes over the Spanish GP title).
According to our information, only Silverstone, Monaco and Monza have or will have guaranteed contracts without alternation in the short or medium term.
