Formula 1 has extended its contract with the Belgian Grand Prix, but one of the sport's most historic races is set to be absent from the calendar in 2028 and 2030.
The new agreement, starting next year, includes races in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031 only, F1 confirmed on Wednesday. The move could signal a broader trend of rotating certain European venues year by year.
F1's recent push to expand the calendar with more races in the United States and Asia has increased competition among traditional European tracks seeking to retain their places.
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit—a favourite among drivers for its flowing, high-speed layout through forested hills—was part of the inaugural F1 championship in 1950 and has featured on the calendar every year since 2007.
“The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year, it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension,” F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.
“Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world, and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1.”
Recent editions of the Spa race attract large crowds of Verstappen supporters
Currently, F1 hosts two races annually in Italy—at Monza and Imola—but Imola’s long-term future is uncertain. Meanwhile, Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya contract expires next year, just as a new street race debuts in Madrid.
F1 has not specified who might replace Belgium on the calendar in the off years. Rotating races could allow F1 to revisit certain markets without committing to annual events.
The sport has not raced in Germany since 2020, though it previously rotated between Hockenheim and the Nürburgring. Turkey last hosted a Grand Prix in 2021, and France in 2022.
Without a Belgian Grand Prix in 2028, there will be no home race that year for reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who was born in Belgium but races under the Dutch flag. The Dutch Grand Prix is also set to leave the schedule after 2026, following the promoter’s recent decision not to renew.
Recent editions of the Belgian Grand Prix have drawn large crowds of Verstappen supporters, many wearing orange to represent the Netherlands. Wednesday’s F1 statement highlighted Spa’s “significant investment” to boost capacity by 10,000, including the construction of two new grandstands.
This year’s Belgian Grand Prix is this weekend from July 25 to 27 and features a Sprint Race, which was won by Max Verstappen yesterday.
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