Organisers of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps have held a “really positive” meeting with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, according to Gaetan Vigneron, a correspondent for the Belgian news agency RTBF.
Speculation had been circulating that the discussions would centre around securing a new race contract for the 2024 season and beyond.
Earlier, promoter Vanessa Maes dismissed reports suggesting that Spa’s best chance of retaining the race next year might be through an annual rotation agreement with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, calling it “pure speculation.”
Maes expressed a preference for signing a multi-year contract, but emphasized that they would be content with whatever they could secure.
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Maes and Melchior Wathelet, the president of race promotion company Spa Grand Prix, accompanied her to the meeting with Domenicali in London.
Vigneron reported that the outcome of the meeting was positive, although no official agreement has been put on paper yet.
“Nothing is on paper yet but we can probably assume that the announcement of a grand prix at Spa for 2024 should not be delayed for much longer,” he said.
However, based on the information received, it is likely that an announcement regarding the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa for 2024 will be made soon.
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There are rumours suggesting that Domenicali and Formula 1 owner Liberty Media may only grant Spa a single-year contract extension for the upcoming season.
The future beyond that remains uncertain, and Vigneron noted that: ““It’s still too early to tell but a lot of factors come into play.”
Nevertheless, there is a sense that Formula 1 holds respect for Spa and that the overall sentiment at the moment is positive.