The future of the Belgian Grand Prix appears uncertain as the licence of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit has been suspended until 2026.
Spa-Francorchamps circuit receives 17-year licence suspension
The future of the Belgian Grand Prix appears once again uncertain as the operating licence of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit has been suspended until 2026.
Belgium's effective supreme administrative court the Council of State has issued the suspension following a noise complaint made by a board of local residents in 2007.
The track operators were ordered to carry out an environmental impact study which the Council of State branded "seriously inadequate and incomplete".
The consequence is a 17-year suspension of the track's licence, a decision that has astounded circuit director Pierre-Alain Thibaut.
"The whole viability of the circuit may be questioned," Thibaut told Belgian news website
lesoir.be.
"Since the filing of the complaint, the situation has changed. The circuit has worked hard to reduce noise, and relations with local residents has improved.
"It is a difficult situation, but we've made commitments vis-à-vis a range of people, and we must comply on pain of having to pay damages.
"We will challenge the government, and organise a dialogue with the board of residents."
Confirmation three weeks ago that the race had made a £2.6million loss meant the future of the event was already under discussion.
President of the race organisers Etienne Davignon has proposed renegotiating the current contract of the race with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone or even alternating the event with another circuit such as Germany's Nurburgring.
