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Belgians secretly amused: Dutch Grand Prix ending is good news for Spa
- Ludo van Denderen
The disappearance of the Dutch Grand Prix from the Formula 1 calendar has undoubtedly been met with enthusiasm in Belgium. The organisers of the race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit have long been uncertain whether the Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar beyond 2025. So, with Zandvoort dropping out after '26, there is one less competitor for the Belgians, and the chances of a contract renewal are growing.
Spa needs Formula 1 every year to make ends meet. In other words: If Formula 1 were to decide to avoid the Belgian circuit in the future, the circuit would be in huge financial trouble. This is also the reason why the Belgian Grand Prix does not want to rotate with other races on the F1 calendar, as it would lose a lot of money every other year.
Verstappen fans back to Spa
Without Zandvoort and with a new commitment would Spa-Francorchamps, the Belgians also seem assured of the arrival of the tens of thousands of Max Verstappen fans, who can only cheer on their hero relatively close by in the Walloon Ardennes. In short, for the organisers of the Belgian Grand Prix, this is only good news.
Spa-Francorchamps' contract with Formula 1 expires after the 2025 season. Recently, the Monaco and Monza races also extended their commitments with Formula One Management, so no one will be surprised if white smoke comes soon for the Belgian Grand Prix.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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