Says FIA President Max MosleyThe classic Belgian Grand Prix, axed from this year's Formula One calendar while the circuit at Spa-Francorchamps undergoes major repairs and improvements, will return next year and stay, Max Mosley, president of the sport's ruling body, said
here on Tuesday.
Mosley, president of the International Motoring Federation (FIA), said the event "must stay on the calendar" in the future because it is one of the great traditional races of the sport.
His confident support for the race will help to quell fears that, after losing its place this year, the Belgian Grand Prix might be one of the long-term casualties as Formula One begins to concentrate on a more globalised and less-European calendar.
Mosley told reporters that he understood that Bernie Ecclestone, the sport's commercial rights-holder and ringmaster, had taken over all the risk in running the Belgian race at the sweeping and majestic Spa-Francorchamps track in the Ardennes because he knew it had to be a part of the sport.
"Yes, I think Bernie is taking the risk and, financially, I don't think it is a good business proposition for him, not by his usual standards," said Mosley. "But he knows it has to stay as part of the calendar, so when it returns in 2007, it should stay."
Spa-Francorchamps has been the scene of some of the sport's most famous races, greatest accidents and memorable victories and is the favourite circuit of the majority of the drivers, despite its dangers. It is regarded as the fastest and most challenging track on the calendar, but it is also the circuit, closest to the birthplace and family home of seven-time World Champion
Michael Schumacher, who has always claimed it is very special to him.
Source AFP
