F1 Staying At Spa For Three More Years

The Belgian Grand Prix will remain on the Formula 1 calendar for at least another three years after organisers secured a contract to continue hosting the event at a reduced rate.

The rapid expansion of Formula 1 races to new territories around the world has placed pressure on a number of historic but less lucrative European circuits in what is becoming an increasingly squeezed calendar. 

But Spa-Francorchamps, one of the most famous circuits in the sport, now has an agreement in place for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons. It follows talks over a potential deal that would have seen Belgium and France host in alternate years, with no French race having taken place since 2008, and another potential race-sharing deal with Germany’s Nurburgring.

The new contract was announced by the Walloon Region’s economy minister, Jean-Claude Marcourt, ahead of the coming weekend’s 2012 edition of the race.