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The Belgian Grand Prix has secured its place on the Formula 1 calendar for the long term with a new six-year deal, but it will be rotated on and off the calendar.
The future of the Spa-Francorchamps event had been the subject of intense speculation for a while, with it in recent years only agreeing single one-year extensions to its contract.
It had emerged as one of the events that F1 owner Liberty Media had considered to only be featured in alternate years, as part of a move to rotate some European events to help accommodate new venues hoping the join the schedule.
That idea has now moved forward with a new six-year deal after this season being agreed with F1 that confirms Belgium’s presence on the calendar in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said that key to Spa securing its future were the recent investments it had made to upgrade its facilities.
“Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1,” explained Domenicali.
“In recent years it has undergone significant work to improve the facility and overall fan experience, and I would like to pay tribute to the promoter and the Government of Wallonia for their dedication and passionate support for Formula 1 in Belgium.”
While the confirmation of the plans means that Belgium will lose its status as an ever-present on the calendar, the length of the deal does at least give the promoters some long-term security that F1 will be sticking with it for a while.
The new rotating Belgian GP deal now opens the door for F1 to finalise which European events it wants to alternate it with – although pressure to do so has been eased slightly by the Dutch GP announcing that 2026 will be its final grand prix.
With Italy, Monaco and Madrid having long term deals in place, the likelihood is that rotation could involve Imola, Barcelona or Baku – or even an addition like Turkey.
The plan for Belgium to be dropped for 2028 is likely as the result of new flyaway events being added to the schedule that year – with Thailand the frontrunner.
