Spa's F1 License Revoked by Local Court, Belgian GP in Doubt

Although Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and the Hockenheimring have both been included in the 2010 Formula One calendar by Bernie Ecclestone, neither of the two circuits have managed to sign and seal their spot in the next year schedule. In addition to that information – confirmed by several officials in Canada and Germany – it seems that Spa-Francorchamps is also in doubt for the next season.

According to a report from the GMM news agency, “the famous and popular Spa-Francorchamps circuit has had its operating license revoked by a local administrative court. The license has been rescinded until 2026, upon request by a board of local residents complaining about noise.”

The aforementioned news agency cited Belgian newspaper Le Soir, whose reporters also revealed that the Spa operators have been unable to provide the court with a complete environmental impact study on the annual Belgian Grand Prix. Consequently, the Belgian court slammed the report as being “seriously inadequate and incomplete” and announced the decision earlier this month.

“The whole viability of the circuit may be questioned,” said circuit director Pierre-Alain Thibaut, who confirmed that he will contest the decision in due time.

Under the circumstances, although the FIA posted their official 2010 calendar with an overall 19 grands prix, the Great Circle may very well see action in only 16 of those rounds. Canada is still negotiating with Ecclestone for a multi-year deal, while the German representatives have repeatedly warned the F1 boss that they are no longer willing to absorb the multi-million euros debts caused by the race at Hockenheim.