Except for six years, the Belgian Grand Prix has been on the Formula 1 calendar every year since 1950 and has always been held at Spa-Francorchamps since 1985. However, the location of the race is far from certain for 2023, a development that Max Verstappen is not happy with.
Sad if Spa disappears from calendar
The 2023 Formula 1 calendar is under discussion and one of the Grands Prix that might disappear is that of Belgium. Also, the French Grand Prix might be held for the last time this weekend. Verstappen previously called it a sad development if Spa-Francorchamps - one of his favourite circuits - would indeed disappear from the calendar. According to the Dutchman, it is an iconic circuit and beautiful to drive on.
Formula 1 wants a calendar with a record number of 24 races next season. In 2023 the Grands Prix of Qatar and Las Vegas will be added to the calendar, but also races in China and South Africa want to return to the calendar. This would mean that two of the current races would not return to the calendar for next year. Because the contracts of the Grands Prix of Belgium and France expire after this season, they seem to be the victims.
Not only driving on street circuits
On Motorsport-Total.com Verstappen elaborates on the developments with the F1 calendar. He says he realises everyone wants to make money, but that there has to be a limit. According to the current leader in the championship, it is important to keep cool circuits like Spa in Formula 1. The Red Bull driver believes that Formula 1 should not only race on street circuits, which are not suitable for the current Formula 1 cars anyway, according to Verstappen.
Some say liberty don't care, well we seen that in Abu Dhabi. Yet Montreal, Monaco,Sochi, Melbourne and Singapore are all good tracks. We have had rain last season at Spa and we all know that 3 laps behind a safety car is not exciting or is it an actual victory to celebrate. Yes no doubt Max fans will love it because they can gather and booing Hamilton when he arrives. But we have enough races in mainland Europe. America needs more, Australia and South Africa as well. UK is always a must no point in having a world championship when they don't visit Africa is there? And with the UK already topping the drivers with the most wins well that will always be there it's one of the best circuits. Spa or France personally spa would be the one I would remove. Never liked it, always thought it was one long drone of a track. And France is just as monotonous.
Street circuits are for lower forms of racing. The problem for F1 is Liberty is a lower life form.
I agree with Max , the street tracks are actually dangerous with the new cars, the size the heaviness and unsightedness and the bumps. More traditional tracks please .
The red flags at street circuits are really irritating,sure they happen at normal tracks aswell,but much more likely on a street circuit.
Thats true, unfortunately it seems Liberty feels more red flags means more viewers tuning in so more street circuits are sadly on the cards.
Liberty cares more about the pre race show and post show entertainment than the actual race itself. Unfortunately, they will be jn it till the damage is neigh on irreparable.
So it's bouncing on the cars, but max and his team are trying to stop changes to stop that? Safety has to be first. And that's for every track. Drivers like the street circuits and it's less than a quarter of the races on a street circuit. If they don't like them then they are in the wrong job.
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