'Contract extension for Belgium GP to be announced before the race'

It seems a matter of time before there is more clarity on the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. According to the latest rumours the race will return to the calendar in 2023.

Spa-Francorchamps stays

F1 journalists Adam Cooper and Joe Saward both report on Twitter that we will have more clarity on the Belgian Grand Prix before the start of the Grand Prix. The race in the Ardennes has been in jeopardy for some time and looked likely to disappear from the calendar, but according to the latest rumours, F1 will return to the rebuilt Spa-Francorchamps in 2023.

Expansion of the calendar

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is working to expand the sport worldwide, which is why races such as the Las Vegas GP and Qatar GP have appeared on the calendar. The Italian would have liked to expand the calendar with a race on the African continent in South Africa. The Kyalami circuit is reported to be the venue, but could not be ready in time to welcome Formula 1 in 2023. Also, the race in China is still uncertain due to the country's strict coronavirus rules.

Partly because of this, a spot will become 'free' on the 2023 calendar and Belgium could keep its place. According to the latest rumours, next season's calendar will include no less than 24 races, two more than in 2022.

Exp[ect an announcement about the future of the Belgian GP just before the race. #F1

— Joe Saward (@joesaward) August 28, 2022

A sunny day in Spa, no chance of a repeat of last year, and a fascinating race in prospect with a mixed-up grid. And we should soon get confirmation that Belgium will stay on the calendar for 2023 after all.

— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) August 28, 2022