Formula 1 will continue to return to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in the coming years, though the Belgian Grand Prix will no longer feature annually on the calendar under a new agreement.
The deal between Formula 1 authorities and the Belgian organisers extends until 2031. However, the race will not take place in Belgium in 2028 and 2030. Despite this, Belgian organisers have not ruled out the possibility of further negotiations for those years.
The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps has already been added to the 2025 F1 calendar, scheduled for the weekend of 25-27 July, which will also include a sprint race.
The new agreement covers the following six years, with races at Spa-Francorchamps set for 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031. Despite the missing years, Vanessa Maes, the director of organiser Spa Grand Prix, emphasised the importance of the multi-year extension until 2031.
According to Formula 1, the new agreement follows significant investments in the Liège race circuit, including two new grandstands that increase capacity by 10,000 seats and efforts to enhance the fan experience.
At one point, there was a proposal for the Belgian and Dutch Formula 1 races to alternate annually, but this rotation did not materialise, and the Zandvoort GP will be dropped from the F1 calendar after 2026.
'Proud of renewal'
"The Belgian GP was one of the races during the very first championship in 1950," said F1 chief Stefano Domenicali in a press release. "As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, it is fitting to share the news of this significant extension. Spa-Francorchamps is rightly regarded by drivers and fans as one of the world’s finest circuits."
Mercedes-AMG Petronas UK rider George Russell celebrates on the podium after winning the Grand Prix F1 of Belgium race, in Spa-Francorchamps, Sunday 28 July 2024. Credit: Belga
"We are very proud of this renewal," said Melchior Wathelet and Vanessa Maes, chairman and CEO of Spa Grand Prix, respectively. "It reflects the mutual trust that has grown over time with the infrastructure upgrades and a record turnout and extraordinary fan experiences in recent years."
Walloon Minister of Economy Pierre-Yves Jeholet expressed his happiness that the Spa-Francorchamps GP has been confirmed for several years. He noted that the event not only brings global attention to Wallonia but also generates significant economic benefits for the region and Belgium.
Last year, the Belgian Grand Prix attracted 380,000 spectators over three days. The victory went to Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) after his teammate and compatriot George Russell was disqualified when his car was found to be underweight at the post-race weigh-in.
