The prospect of losing the popular Spa-Francorchamps circuit from the Formula 1 calendar is seen as blasphemy by most followers of the sport.
Corner names like La Source, Eau Rouge, Blanchimont and Bus Stop are part of the rich tapestry of the sport and roll off the tongue like few others on the schedule. The Belgian Grand Prix venue is a real favourite among drivers and fans, but in modern F1 no circuit can be considered safe from the chop, not even Spa or Monaco.
Series owners Liberty Media are desperate to cash in on the sport’s heightened profile in America and will add a third stateside grand prix to the roadshow in 2023 with a Las Vegas street race planned for Thanksgiving weekend in November. A return to the Kyalami circuit in South Africa is also on the cards in the near future.
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While Liberty is open to increasing the number of races, possibly to as many as 25, other venues, most likely in Europe, will fall by the wayside. One of those casualties could be Spa. While the track is now expected to keep its place for 2023, it’s long-term F1 future is up in the air.
Many would see losing F1 as a devastating blow to the owners of Spa. It certainly would be to the owners of Silverstone, who rely heavily on the British Grand Prix and the huge crowds it attracts. But according to top Belgian racer Sarah Bovy, who hails from Brussels, Spa can cope without F1, possibly more than F1 can cope without Spa.
“It would be a shame, I really hope it’s not happening, but at the same time I do believe that Spa is much more than a Formula 1 grand prix,” Bovy, who drives for the Iron Dames team in sports car racing, told Daily Star Sport.
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(Image: Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“So I’m not afraid for the circuit. It’s been very well managed. The track is busy all year, not only with races but with track days too.
“Some of the most beautiful races in the world, the WEC [World Endurance Championship], the 24 Hours of Spa, the World Endurance Championship of motorbikes [take place at Spa]. I think it would be more of a loss to Formula 1 than for Spa actually.
“I’m not in the management of the track and I’m not saying they don’t care [about F1] but, in my opinion, the track is a legend by itself. I strongly believe it will be able to survive without Formula 1 if it has to.”
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