Holland’s return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2020 is causing organisers of the Belgian Grand Prix to consider their future options.
The event at Spa-Francorchamps has enjoyed a significant bounce in attendance since Max Verstappen joined the grid in 2015 with a mass of Dutch and local fans making their way to the Ardennes.
However, now organisers at Spa are fearing the new race at Zandvoort could dramatically reduce the crowd size regardless of their respective places on the schedule.
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Last year, the Belgian GP signed a three-year contract extension to keep F1 at Spa until 2021.
There was a provision included though, which stated that if Holland again hosted a race in that period, Belgium would be able to apply for a reduction in the hosting fee.
And now, race promoters are seeking guidance on their next step as they try to evaluate what the impact of Holland’s return will be.
That next step is crucial because, despite the recent boom, the race itself at Spa is a loss-making event and relies on subsidies from the local government to take place.
However, the economic impact of F1 on the local region has meant the Grand Prix profitable to Wallonia.
But if that is no longer the case next year then it will once again raise questions over the future of the Belgian Grand Prix at one of motorsport’s most famous venues.
