Belgian GP in reprieve for 2023 calendar
Spa will remain on the Formula 1 calendar for 2023 after agreeing a new one-year deal, while South Africa faces a delay to get back on the schedule.
With the Belgian Grand Prix out of contract after this year, F1 officials looked set to drop the race for 2023 amid the influx of new events, including a return to Kyalami for the first time since 1993.
The prospect of having a calendar without Spa was met dimly by F1 drivers, teams and enthusiasts, all of whom received good news on Sunday when a one-year extension was revealed. It is understood that Spa may shift to a July slot on next year’s calendar.
The deal comes after efforts were made by Spa’s organisers to renovate the track (right) in an €80million programme, as well as addressing the historically bad traffic issues for fans. Greater entertainment was offered throughout last weekend’s Belgian GP, fitting the model that F1 is now chasing.
While the news is good for F1 purists, it may prove only to be a stay of execution for Spa. F1 is eager to get South Africa on the calendar and has made it a priority for 2024, ensuring the series races on every continent.
Should Spa drop off again, it is likely to become a rotation event along with the French GP, which will be axed from the schedule for 2023.
The provisional calendar for next year is set to be issued once it has been approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council and is still being tweaked, but it is expected to feature 24 races, the limit enforced by the Concorde Agreement. This will include returning events in Qatar and China, the latter subject to the country’s COVID-19 restrictions making it viable, as well as the new Las Vegas GP that will form a seasonending back-to-back with Abu Dhabi.