MX23RW : Friday, November 15 17:31:28| >> :600:83395080:83395080:

Zandvoort, Spa, face uncertain F1 futures

Zandvoort, Spa, face uncertain F1 futures
© Reuters
As Formula 1 stands firmly with Saudi Arabia following Friday's nearby missile attacks, two of the sport's most popular venues face a less certain future.

As Formula 1 stands firmly with Saudi Arabia following Friday's nearby missile attacks, two of the sport's most popular venues face a less certain future.

Zandvoort has instantly become one of the most loved venues for the renewed Dutch GP, but F1 is yet to pick up a two-year 'option' on the current deal.

"FOM wants to keep us on the calendar for a long time," Robert van Overdijk, the Zandvoort circuit director, told Viaplay.

"We have an option for another two years that still has to be taken and we can even sign up for much longer," he said.

"It's up to FOM but we'll sign the extension tomorrow."

However, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali warned this week that while he is looking to expand the calendar even further, existing events may need to make way.

"There are races that have a current contract and others that are coming to the end of their contract," he said. "This is the case of France and also Belgium."

Van Overdijk admitted that Zandvoort's popularity alone will not be enough for the Dutch GP to secure its own future.

"We are a private event without government support and so we must first have sponsors and partners before we can enter into a long-term deal," he said.

Another popular and even more historic F1 venue, Spa-Francorchamps, is also hanging onto its place on the race calendar despite a circuit overhaul over the winter.

Gaetan Vigneron, a veteran correspondent for the Belgian broadcaster RTBF, admitted the Belgian GP's long-term future is in "danger".

But there are upsides, he said.

"Russia is no longer on the calendar, Spa-Francorchamps is legendary and above all there is the Max Verstappen factor, who ensures the 'second Dutch GP' is sold out," said Vigneron.

"The contingencies to sign a contract are economic, political and climatological. There is a lot of discussion," he said.

"The Belgian GP is not yet lost but it will be quite difficult."

ID:481671:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2259:

Click here for more stories about Max Verstappen

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
George Russell pictured on March 20, 2022
Read Next:
Russell can't see F1's Netflix 'problem'
>
rhs 2.0


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!