The Belgian Grand Prix is unfortunately close to being removed from the Formula 1 calendar for the 2023 season, as the sport focuses on new and returning venues with potential implications for financial stability
The interest in Formula 1 has increased a lot during the last few season, partly as a result of the introduction of the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive, so interest in the pinnacle of motorsport, especially in the United States, is continuing to grow. While this is of course positive for the future of the sport, one consequence is that some circuits on the current calendar may lose their place for the next years given the high demand, as many new venues are asking for the possibility of hosting a Formula 1 race and are willing to pay much more than what current race promoters can pay for hosting an event such as the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Miami hosted an F1 Grand Prix in 2022, while the US will get another race starting with the 2023 championship, as Las Vegas will be added on the calendar. At the same time, discussions are currently underway for South Africa to make a return next season as well, at the iconic Kyalami circuit.
This means that there will only be space for eight events in Europe next year, as the calendar will feature a record breaking 24 races, with Paul Ricard in France almost certainly doomed to be the first removed from the schedule in 2023. The French Grand Prix has a contract available only for this season, just like the Belgian Grand Prix, while talks to reach a new deal for the Monaco Grand Prix have still not found any common ground between the sport and race promoters.
On the other hand Silverstone and Monza have a contract available until 2024 but given the fact that Saudi Arabia reportedly wants to receive two events and Colombia has also expressed its intentions to host the Caribbean Grand Prix, the founding racetracks of the world championship look at real threat of disappearing.
The Austrian Grand Prix does not have a deal in place for 2023 either but its future seems safe as a result of its ownership by Red Bull, as recently explained by Algemeen Dagblad writer Jo Bossuyt.
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The eight races in Europa which will take place in 2023 are most likely Imola, Monza, Silverstone, Hungary, Monaco, Austria, Spain and Zandvoort. The Baku City Circuit is generally considered to be part of Southwest Asia rather than Europe, and the race in Azerbaijan also has a contract for the 2023 Formula 1 season.
Motorsport F1 expert also confirmed on his Twitter account that Spa could not be on 2023 calend and will most likely rotate in the future, adding that there has been a proposal on the table to celebrate a non championship race with rookies.
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