Replacement by South Africa ‘not plausible’
This weekend it’s time again for the Belgian Grand Prix on the famous circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. That seemed to be the last time for a while, but the chance is increasing that Spa will be on the calendar again next year.
The Formula 1 calendar of 2023, drawn in pencil earlier this summer, was missing the GPs of Belgium and France. They had to make way for the Grands Prix of South Africa and Las Vegas. A plan that caused quite a stir, because Spa-Francorchamps is very popular with many fans and drivers. The same goes for Max Verstappen, who even calls it his favorite track. Fortunately, there is now some hope for fans of the circuit in the Belgian Ardennes. According to the well-established Erik van Haren of The Telegraph it is now ‘not likely’ that the GP of South Africa can take place next year. If that does not happen, Spa will almost certainly be back in 2023.
There is also a chance that the Formula 1 organization and the FIA ​​motorsport federation will be moved to keep Spa on the F1 calendar. Several drivers have expressed dissatisfaction with the plans to scrap Spa and Red Bull team boss Christian Horner even goes a step further. He has asked the FIA ​​to grant protected status to a number of historic GP locations. According to the Briton, some destinations are ‘in the DNA’ of Formula 1. Spa is one of them, according to Horner, as are Silverstone, Monza and Monaco.
.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl