Luxembourg setback for F1 event

The government of Luxembourg has refused a request to help finance the ailing Belgian Grand Prix.

The organisation behind the Spa-Francorchamps race have hit financial trouble and officials in Belgium sounded out neighbouring Luxembourg in a bid to fund the event.

But Luxembourg’s prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker has turned down the request for assistance, claiming his nation cannot afford to bankroll a grand prix.

He said: “The Luxembourg budgetary situation was such that financial participation was strictly not possible.”

Juncker met representatives of the Walloon local government, of which Spa is a part, including prime minister Elio di Rupio and tourism minister Benoit Lutgen.

He revealed consideration had been given to organising and funding a Spa grand prix after requests from the Belgians.

Spa’s troubles could not have come at a worse time, with Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone battling to impose another 19-race calendar. Teams want a reduction in the schedule and problems for Spa could give Ecclestone an easy solution.