Spa to alternate F1 race with French GP return?

[Rob]

Monday 6 June at 09:28 : Jun.6 (GMM) Spa-Francorchamps could be the key to France's return to the formula one calendar.

The French Le Journal Du Dimanche newspaper reports the possibility of the famous Belgian race alternating annually with a circuit in France.

"I've been asked about it earlier this year by French officials," admitted Belgian GP promoter Andre Maes.

"This may be interesting, so I am waiting for further news," he said.

The Belgian GP has admitted to worrying about being priced out of F1 due to rising race sanctioning fees.

French grand prix host Magny-Cours dropped off the calendar after the 2008 season due to "economic problems".


www.onestopstrategy.com

[mm154]

Here's a better plan... Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Valencia should alternate which lets Magny-cours and Imola make comebacks. It also ends the constant threat to Spa which IMHO should ALWAYS be included in the F1 calendar...

I think the 2 M's (Monza, and Monaco) and the 2 S's (Silverstone and Spa) deserve secure places, but the business of F1 doesn't care if there's money to be made by building a circuit somewhere like Ulaanbaatar at the expense of F1's traditional homes...

[racingbradley]

Good and bad news here. Whilst I would welcome the return of Magny-Cours to the calendar ( great technically difficult track) I would be sorry to have the race at spa bi-annually.
As mm says alternate two of the new tracks instead.
Thanks for posting Rob.

[scuderiafan]

nonononononono.

Spa stays. simple. France should come back.

maybe the FIA could make a sort of alternate 'European Championship' which had Silverstone, Spa, Monaco, France, Monza and others, whcih may secure their place in F1.
and let them have cheaper fees than the World title events.

it would increase workload, but also money and chances of title success.

[Greig]

If it means Spa sticks around then fine, better than the circuit going under

[zakfourie]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[DINO 246]

WE need them both!

[SanderV]

Well, of course I want Spa to stay on the calendar, but isn't it sad that the greatest circuit of all can't organise a race and stay financially healthy? Something is seriously wrong. I live relatively close to Spa but the tickets are just too expensive really. Shame.

[Rob]

Well, of course I want Spa to stay on the calendar, but isn't it sad that the greatest circuit of all can't organise a race and stay financially healthy? Something is seriously wrong. I live relatively close to Spa but the tickets are just too expensive really. Shame.

think that is a problem with F1 altogether mate. I really would hate to see Spa go from the calender, it is the track, the best. Like to have race back in France, blimey it the home of Grand Prix racing for heavens sake. Think F1 isnt the same without Spa.

[SanderV]

think that is a problem with F1 altogether mate. I really would hate to see Spa go from the calender, it is the track, the best. Like to have race back in France, blimey it the home of Grand Prix racing for heavens sake. Think F1 isnt the same without Spa.

You're right, but I refuse to accept that there's not enough money or enough spectators at the 'classic' races in Europe. There must be a way to make tickets cheaper, attract a bigger crowd and make more money. I know it isn't that simple but it's getting frustrating. F1 is such a great sport. I hope FOTA can make some changes for the future but I doubt it... How long can they continue like this? Although I love F1 sometimes I think a breakaway series wouldn't be a bad idea...

[Rob]

the big problem is alot of the revenue is going out of the sport, cheers CVC Tracks have to have high prices due to the stupid hosting fees layed on them from, you know who So they have to get some money back some how and try to break even. On my wages and young family, i can not afford to go to race. I going to FFP as it the cheapest.

[Tifoso]

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Tifoso]

the big problem is alot of the revenue is going out of the sport, cheers CVC Tracks have to have high prices due to the stupid hosting fees layed on them from, you know who So they have to get some money back some how and try to break even. On my wages and young family, i can not afford to go to race. I going to FFP as it the cheapest.

FFP, mate?

[SanderV]

Friday Free Practice, probably I will probably do that too next time, but as far as I know you can't buy Friday only tickets for all GPs.

[F2008]

The organizers are making losses year after year. 7,34 million euros in 2009 and 5,15 million euros in 2010.
They expect a loss of 6,28 million euros this year and more than 10 million in 2012.
So far the losses have been paid by the government but they won't keep suffering for it.

[siberianlady]

The weather is horrendous there but still hate the place enough to save all my pennies each year and go there like I have done every year the race has been on since 2005. Wouldn't miss Spa for the world!

[Tifoso]

Friday Free Practice, probably I will probably do that too next time, but as far as I know you can't buy Friday only tickets for all GPs.

Ahh, thanks amico mio

[Tifoso]

The weather is horrendous there but still hate the place enough to save all my pennies each year and go there like I have done every year the race has been on since 2005. Wouldn't miss Spa for the world!

I win $1 million dollars. Pay all the bills. Book tickets at Monza, Spa, Canada, and Silverstone (and maybe LeMans, too).

You are so fortunate.

[FerrariFanBoii]

22 race season with France included! :D

[Agron]

Traditional private circuits can't compete with the fortunes petrol funded oligarchies, or powerful countries (China, Korea, India,...) are willing to lose for prestige. Even European countries have to depend on public funding to host tracks, although contrary to asian countries, it's probably worth the cost for the country as these nations can attrack more wealthy tourists than Bahrein or EAU.
The belgians should just take into account if not having a GP would be worse economically than what they spend paying Bernie, my bet is they are better with it, but if they are sick and tired of wasting a fortune on something that isn't by far worth that money, showing they are willing to leave is a good negociating tactic.

[Rishu]

Spa-Francorchamps will remain on the Formula One calendar until 2015 after a new three-year contract was negotiated by the local government.

The future of the Belgian Grand Prix has been uncertain and next weekend's race was the last on the current contract. There were suggestions that Spa-Francorchamps would alternate with the return of the French Grand Prix, but the local Walloon government has secured a three-year contract to keep the race at the circuit at a reduced fee.

"We have managed to negotiate an extension of the contract for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 for the Grand Prix in Wallonia at Spa-Francorchamps, the Belgian Grand Prix", the Walloon minister of finance, Jean-Claude Marcourt told L'Avenir.

"I wanted to reduce the amount of expenditure in the Walloon Region budget, and when we compare the obligations undertaken in the preceding contract and this new one, I'd say we've accomplished our mission. Of course, there is still an outlay involved but it's smaller. What we're doing is reinforcing the attractiveness of Belgium."

[Homan13PSU]

Spa should NEVER alternate with another track. The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa should be a yearly event.

[Hornet]

Spa is one of the rare great tracks around that we no longer see in today's modern track. Modern tracks are mostly flat for whatever reason.

Spa should be on the calendar every year, its a great example of an exciting track.

[Rob]

Spa is one of the rare great tracks around that we no longer see in today's modern track. Modern tracks are mostly flat for whatever reason.

Spa should be on the calendar every year, its a great example of an exciting track.