The Belgian Grand Prix is in danger of being removed from the Formula 1 calendar and Lando Norris is not happy. The sport will return from its summer break at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, but the track's contract is up this year and so far a new deal has yet to be agreed.
Therefore, there is a possibility F1 may not return to Belgium in 2023, which has upset the 24-year-old McLaren driver. He expressed his sadness with the possibility the iconic Spa circuit may no longer be part of the sport’s calendar come next year and lamented the impact the big bucks is having on the sport.
“I’ll be sad,” he said. “I guess a lot of things are just about money nowadays, which is the issue. It’s a business. It’s a historic race for Formula 1. It’s the same as Monaco, from what I know they don’t even pay and it’s on the calendar. Same with like Monza and stuff. I feel it should always be on for as long as Formula 1 is around.”
Traditional F1 venues have come under threat in recent times due to the lucrative offers from the likes of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and America as the sport continues to grow rapidly across the pond. However, the sport is looking to return to China if Covid-19 restrictions allow - and South Africa is also hoping to make a comeback.
Norris has not been alone in expressing his disappointment at the possible loss of Spa, however. Reigning F1 world champion and Belgian-born Max Verstappen said last month it would be a “big shame” if it dropped off the schedule, as well as warning against the series’ calendar becoming diluted by street circuits.
"It would be a big shame to lose Spa. It's my favourite track in the world and also with the recent changes they did to the run off and stuff," the Dutchman said last month. "I think it's just an amazing track in a Formula 1 car, any car to be honest, with all the high speed corners and the flow it has in general."
Meanwhile, the appeal of taking F1 to Africa is something Lewis Hamilton has longed for. The seven-time world champion previously said: "The place that I really feel, to my heart, is most important to me is to get a race back in South Africa.
"I think there is a great following out there and I think it would be great to highlight how beautiful the motherland is."
