Christian Horner wants to keep Spa-Francorchamps on the 2023 calendar

While the 2023 calendar of the Formula 1 is still desired, certain circuits continue to be threatened. Among them, historic routes like Spa-Francorchamps. With the fiasco of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix and the sharp increase in demand to host an event, it is not certain that the contract for the circuit in the province of Liège will be extended at the end of the year. Faced with the risk of seeing monuments of the discipline disappear from the calendar, those involved in Formula 1 are stepping up their positions. Recently, it was Christian Horner who spoke in favor of maintaining Spa-Francorchamps in 2023.

« Spa, it's one of those historic races, I think there should be a few races: Monaco, Silverstone, Spa, Monza, they're the biggest, the most historic and we really need to protect them », says the British leader at the microphone of Sky Sports F1. Despite the historic nature of the Belgian circuit, Formula 1 continues its development across the Atlantic. This year, Miami made its appearance on the calendar and Las Vegas will follow suit in 2023. New contenders who testify to the good financial health of the discipline.

« It's great that these new sites are coming and there's interest, but we have to keep this story. It would be like having the ATP Tour without Wimbledon, I think they are part of our history, they are part of our DNA », recalls Christian Horner. It is true that it is difficult to imagine tennis parting ways with one of its 4 Grand Slam tournaments. But in Formula 1, the economic potential of the new tracks tips the scales. After the Covid-19 crisis, all players are seeking to maximize profits. 

Horner trusts Stefano Domenicali

« We will certainly make our opinions known, but you have to trust the people who ultimately run the business, evokes Christian Horner. Stefano knows what he is doing, he will guide investors. They are obviously motivated by their bottom line and where the income and interest comes from. And an additional race in the United States versus a race at Spa, that's what they're going to have to evaluate. » So far, the arrival of Miami and Las Vegas gives a fairly clear idea of ​​the direction Formula 1 has chosen.

But Christian Horner is not the only one to oppose the disappearance of Spa-Francorchamps from the calendar. On the sidelines of the French Grand Prix, Max Verstappen had reaffirmed its attachment to the Belgian route. “ It's simply an awesome circuit to drive, underlines the world champion. I understand that everyone wants to make money, but there is also a limit to that because it is important to keep these very cool circuits on the calendar instead of just driving on street tracks, which is why F1 are not designed anyway. » Unfortunately for fans of these historic routes, the economic dimension seems to be too important to accept making concessions in a future calendar which could go up to 24 dates.

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