The Belgian Grand Prix in Spa has extended its expiring contract with Formula One until the end of 2031 – However, the race will no longer take place every year
Fans of the Belgian Grand Prix have reason to be pleased: the traditional race in Spa will remain on the Formula One calendar until at least 2031. However, there is a small fly in the ointment, as the race will only take place four times over the next six years.
Specifically, the new contract covers the years 2026 to 2031, but the race will only be held in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031. So there will be a year’s break in 2028 and 2030. The old contract would have expired at the end of 2025.
Formula One chief Stefano Domenicali praises: “Spa-Francorchamps is rightly praised by drivers and fans alike as one of the best circuits in the world and has witnessed some incredible moments over the many seasons of Formula One.”
“Major works have been carried out in recent years to improve the facility and the overall experience for fans, and I would like to pay tribute to the organizer and the Walloon government for their commitment and passionate support of Formula One in Belgium,” said Domenicali.
Grand Prix bosses Melchior Wathelet and Vanessa Maes added: “We are both extremely proud of this contract extension, which reflects the mutual trust we have built through the modernization of our infrastructure, record attendance figures and the fantastic fan experience in recent years.”
It is still unclear which other race Spa will be swapped with in the future. The Belgian Grand Prix has been part of the race calendar since the first season of the Formula One World Championship in 1950. Even then, the race was held in Spa-Francorchamps, but the circuit was not part of the World Championship throughout.
After no Grand Prix was held there in 1957, 1959 and 1969, the race initially disappeared from the calendar completely after the 1970 edition and only returned in 1983 and then permanently from 1985. Since then, Spa has only been absent from the race calendar in 2003 and 2006.
Michael Schumacher is still the record winner at the traditional circuit. The German made his Formula 1 debut in Spa in 1991, won his first Grand Prix there a year later and triumphed a total of six times at the circuit, which is also known as the “Ardennes Roller Coaster”.
