FIA denies that Spa is canceled

The FIA has dismissed suggestions that the Belgian Grand Prix has been struck off the 2006 calendar. A local politician claimed on Friday to have been informed by Bernie Ecclestone’s group that the race would not go ahead because upgrades to the pit/paddock complex could not be completed in time.

Ecclestone, who has been in negotiations with the Wallonian regional government over the future of the race for several months after the former promoter went bankrupt, was unavailable for comment. The F1 supremo has previously spoken of his desire to see the race remain on the calendar, and earlier this month a deal that would have safeguarded the event for another three years appeared to be on the cards. The main sticking points are understood to be the amount of money the regional government is prepared to commit to revamping the circuit’s facilities, and the demanding timescale for those upgrades set by the FIA.

F1 fans all over the world are hoping that the Belgian GP at the circuit of Francorchamps will stay on the 2006 calendar. Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most tensed races of the season on one of the oldest venues in the F1 circuit.