Belgian GP to be saved??

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Bernie Ecclestone says he is close to reaching a deal with the Belgian government to secure the future of the country's Grand Prix. Ecclestone told Belgian television station RTBF yesterday he would take over promotion of the race and a deal would be reached at the beginning of next week.

The regional government of Wallonia has been engaged in a political row about the possible tens of millions of euros it might have to pay Ecclestone to keep the Spa-Francorchamps race on the calendar.

He said there were "very serious negotiations" to secure Spa's long-term future.

Although it is one of the great and historic Formula One circuits, the promoter ran into trouble after poor ticket sales this year and the government had to lend him 15 million euros ($17.58 million) to pay Ecclestone.