Formula 1 drivers and fans raise their voice To ensure the iconic Belgian GP is Included in The 2023 F1 Calendar
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If you ask any of the Formula 1 fans who speak so passionately about the sport, you would get a unanimous answer that one of their favourite tracks is the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. With 19 spectacular turns along its 4.35-mile-long course, Spa is highly regarded by all the F1 drivers as one of the most enjoyable tracks in the Formula 1 calendar.
But the Spa-Francorchamps circuit might not feature in the F1 calendar next year as there are no certain reports about the circuit hosting a Grand Prix in 2023. To host a race, the circuit owners at Spa have to enter into an expensive contract with the Formula One Management (FOM) and there are wealthier bidders ready to jump at the opportunity of hosting a race at their circuits.
Thus, it may very well be that due to the financial problems, Spa will cease to feature on the F1 calendar after this season. Already, some important personnel in the paddock have raised concerns that removing such historic circuits as Spa will affect the identity of the sport and damage its popularity.
“There’s a lot of history” : Daniel Ricciardo speaks fondly of racing at Spa-Francorchamps
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit hosted its first Belgian Grand Prix in 1925, almost a hundred years from now. Since then, it has featured on the F1 calendar every year, except for 2003 and 2006. With such an enriching history, Spa happens to be most of the drivers’ favourite track to race in.
In response to the news that the paddock might not move to Spa next season, former F1 World Champion Max Verstappen said he wants to “–make sure we do visit proper tracks still, not only street circuits.” Keeping in mind the amazing racing experience at Spa, Max’s teammate at Red Bull, Sergio Perez said that he feels some of the newer race tracks “lack a bit of character“.
McLaren recruit Daniel Ricciardo’s reaction to this news was more on the emotional side. The Australian said, “Whether it’s your Monzas or your Spas, your Silverstones, these are tracks we’ve competed at our whole life.”
“So there’s also a lot of history, but also it’s kind of nostalgic and sentimental to race there and continue to compete there.”
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Riddhi Mondal
(1821 Articles Published)