Organisers of the Belgian Grand Prix have raised the possibility that the annual Formula One race at the country’s Spa-Francorchamps circuit could start being held every other year.
The plan, put forward by officials to Formula One chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone at the weekend would see the race alternate with an event at the Nurburgring, in Germany. It follows the revelation that the Belgian Grand Prix makes an annual loss of €3 million, making it difficult for the country to justify the race.
•Silverstone seeks outside investment to win back Grand Prix•Japan's Formula One future secured as Valencia seeks date changeThe Belgian Grand Prix is believed to have a contract until 2012 but organisers are keen to become a long-term fixture on the calendar, with doubts persisting about the financing of the event. Etienne Davignon, representing the organising team, said: "The discussions with Mr Ecclestone is based on the fact that we believe we are running a too high deficit and that we have to try and accommodate that. If by having alternates with another race here, and a joint promotion for the public for the public with, for example, the Nurburging, then we will get more income."
Davignon added that further discussions with Ecclestone would continue.
The Nurburging, which hosted this year's German Grand Prix in July, is currently in a race-sharing agreement with another German circuit, Hockenheim. Hockenheim has been included as host of the German race on a draft 2010 calendar currently being circulated to the Formula One teams.
The provisional 18-race schedule begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14th, instead of the traditional season-opener in Australia. In other proposed changes the Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal returns after being absent this year on 6th June; Donington Park will, should construction be complete and financial guarantees met, stage its first British Grand Prix on 11th July, the same day as the soccer World Cup final; the European Grand Prix at Valencia has been switched from August to a cooler June date; while the Chinese Grand Prix moves from April back to a late season date in September.
It has also been confirmed that this year's Formula One season finale, at the all-new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, will be the sport’s first day/night Grand Prix. The race, on 1st November, will begin at 5pm local time in daylight before ending under floodlights. "It has always been our intention to showcase to the world this spectacular venue and this decision allows just that opportunity," said Abu Dhabi's chief executive Richard Cregan.
