Belgian Grand Prix cancelled

THIS year’s Belgian Grand Prix has been cancelled, world governing body the FIA confirmed yesterday.

The race, at Spa-Francorchamps, was in doubt after its promoter filed for bankruptcy last October but negotiations took place between the local council and Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone.

The Englishman claimed he was prepared to act as promoter but further doubts over the race emerged last month.

Ecclestone demanded redevelopment of the historic circuit, but with so little time before the September race, that would have meant the cancellation of other races.

The FIA confirmed the Belgian authorities had requested the cancellation of this year’s race. Their statement read: “The withdrawal has been made in order to allow the completion of extensive improvement work to facilities at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

“The FIA hopes the event will be included once again in the Formula One world championship calendar from 2007 onwards.”

The announcement is the latest crisis to hit Formula One’s most popular circuit, which was thrown off the 2003 schedule in a row over tobacco advertising.

Facilities at Spa are in need of modernisation, with the current pits and paddock complex unable to cope with the demands of an 11th team after Super Aguri’s entry was accepted.

That work will be done but the circuit, which is owned by local authorities, were reluctant to carry it out in time for this year’s race.

That would have meant postponing the profitable 24-hour race as well as the visit of Germany’s prestigious DTM series in favour of holding on to the loss-making grand prix.

Yesterday’s news trims the 2006 F1 calendar to 18 races. The Belgian GP was scheduled for September 17, one week after the Italian race. But there will now be a three-week break after the Monza race before the Chinese GP on October 1 in Shanghai.