Belgian Grand Prix at Spa staying on calendar for F1 2023 season

Jamie Woodhouse
Max Verstappen takes Eau Rouge in his Red Bull. F1 Spa-Francorchamps August 2022.

Max Verstappen takes Eau Rouge in his Red Bull during FP2 for the Belgian Grand Prix. Spa-Francorchamps August 2022.

After much speculation, Formula 1 has confirmed that the Belgian Grand Prix will remain on the calendar for 2023.

The event has become an iconic stop on the calendar, with Spa-Francorchamps having been the sole host of the Belgian Grand Prix since 1985.

But, with the venues that make up a Formula 1 season evolving in recent times, there had been strong rumours that the Belgian GP would not be a part of the schedule for 2023.

Formula 1 though has now confirmed that there will be a Belgian Grand Prix in 2023.

 

 

“Formula 1 can confirm that the Belgian Grand Prix will be on the 2023 calendar following an agreement to extend our partnership together,” a statement read.

“Further details on the 2023 calendar will be announced in due course.”

Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali was speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the time of the announcement, where he confirmed that the Belgian Grand Prix will indeed be taking place in 2023.

Asked if the series will race at Spa in 2023, Domenicali replied: “Yes, it’s very straightforward. That’s a good news that we can share that the Belgian Grand Prix will be on the calendar in 2023.”

Domenicali was then quizzed on the more long-term future of Spa and whether it will still host Formula 1 beyond 2023.

He would not be drawn to answer, though offered his congratulations to Spa for their investments into the circuit ahead of the 2022 staging, which included a new grandstand and new gravel traps, while he also praised the fans for a fantastic turnout at this season’s staging.

Considering the disappointment of the 2021 Belgian GP, with the race proving to be a washout due to heavy rain and poor visibility, Domenicali was thrilled to see that attendances had not suffered.

“We’ll see, step by step,” said Domenicali of Spa’s prospects of staying on the calendar after 2023.

“Now we have to be very, very happy to share that information. We have to congratulate the job they did. You’ve seen the investment that they did. You see the number of people that are coming here.

“I remember last year, after what has happened, unfortunately, with the weather. [There’s an] incredible crowd, incredible attention to the people, and this is great for the sport.

“We always said that the races that are part of our tradition have a very important space in the calendar, and this is a fact that we wanted to share.”