Stefano Domenicali hints at ‘long-term future’ for iconic F1 circuit after concerns

Sam Cooper
Stefano Domenicali arrives at Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. Jeddah March 2022

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali arrives at Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. Jeddah March 2022

F1 president Stefano Domenicali has reassured fans that Spa is looking likely to remain on the calendar for the “long term.”

As clamour grows to get onto the F1 calendar, increasing concern has come over the status of some of the sport’s most iconic tracks.

Monaco, Silverstone, Spa and Monza are among many F1 fan’s non-negotiables but as of right now, the Belgian track has just one race left.

Stefano Domenicali says Belgian GP has ‘long-term future’

The current deal for the Belgian Grand Prix runs until 2024 but with increasing concern over weather and safety, there is doubt over whether the iconic circuit will get an extension.

Spa has been on the F1 calendar continuously since 2007 and Domenicali has reassured fans that the future is looking bright for the track.

“Next year we are going to be here,” he told Sky Sports F1. “[But] as you know we are thinking about the future.

“What was really good to see here, they have invested for the fans and that has been something that we will always require from everyone.

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“I think that we look at these surroundings and that is just magic so I think there will be a long term future for Belgium.”

As for the safety concerns, Domenicali said it was F1’s and the FIA’s job to ensure drivers are not risking their lives unnecessarily.

“I think it’s all within the limits on what is safe and what is too much of a risk,” he said. “And that’s part of the development together to improve the condition to make sure that we are also in terms of visibility, the right situation for the driver to push.

“That’s what we’re doing together with the FIA, with the drivers, with the promoters because these kinds of situations are going to happen everywhere. We try to change the day here from June, July, August, September, but that’s the beauty of this place.”

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