Spa potentially OUT for 2023: Future as F1 Calendar substitute?
Reports of Spa Francorchamps losing its place on the F1 calendar have generated immense resistance from fans, angered at the idea of such an iconic track no longer being a part of the yearly schedule.
However, it seems increasingly possible that these concerns could become a reality, with a variety of factors lowering the probability of Spa retaining its fixed calendar slot.
One of these is the belief that F1 is looking to expand its calendar beyond Europe, as it is expected that there will be a total of eight European tracks next season, a reduction from the current amount.
This projected change means that at least one of the Belgian or French GP will lose their places, with the fate of Kyalami and Shanghai as hosts for 2023 likely deciding whether F1 will race at Spa and Paul Ricard next season.
Widely respected Spanish Journalist and analyst Albert Fabrega has spoken about the new role Spa could have in the F1, acting as a rotational circuit that will appear on the calendar in alternating years.
There has already been plenty of discussion about the likes of Portimao and Turkey becoming "rotational" Grand Prix, serving as viable replacements in the event that an existing venue cannot host a race.
This concept has expanded into the idea that some circuits will not have permanent places on the calendar but will instead rotate from year to year.
Whilst few F1 fans want Spa to be relegated to a substitute position, it seems a feasible next step for a Grand Prix clinging to its current status as a permanent race on the calendar for dear life.
It remains to be seen what will become of the Belgian GP, but there is generally very little confidence its position in F1 will remain the same as before.