How Spa plans to wow F1 and save the Belgian GP’s future

Belgium was one of six grands prix on Formula 1’s first world championship in 1950, along with the likes of France and Monaco. All three races are now under threat, their contracts running down as the series’ marketing-savvy owner Liberty Media is prioritising commercial considerations over history or prestige.

While Monaco might like to argue its legacy makes it indispensable, Spa-Francorchamps is not willing to make the same mistake.

With Qatar, Las Vegas and China (re)joining a provisional 2023 calendar that maxes out at 24 races, and plenty more interest around the world to increase that number even further, keeping a spot on the calendar has become exceedingly difficult for traditional races outside of the so-called destination races as Liberty likes to call them – races in major international markets, close to or inside the heart of major metropoles.

Riding the wave of Formula 1’s newfound global appeal, the Americans are determined to turn every grand prix into a mini-Super Bowl, bling and all, whether that suits traditional race fans and venues or not.

In contract talks with Spa Grand Prix, the government-backed organisation behind the Belgian GP, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and his team have made it crystal clear that Spa is expected to follow the same entertainment driven concept if it wants to have a future. And Spa is willing to buy into that idea.

“It’s true that there has been a request from F1 to bring more entertainment,” says Spa Grand Prix’s commercial director Stijn de Boever.

“They said history is great, but we need more. We have decided to listen and follow their new way of delivering F1 events. The American way, with all the entertainment that goes with it.

“We are planning all sorts of entertainment, with DJs, exclusive events, fans zones and activations around the circuit. You can say our legendary grand prix will also…