Belgian Grand Prix to join F1 rotation system with fresh four-race deal

Spa's Belgian Grand Prix has signed a fresh four-race contract extension as it joins Formula 1's planned rotational system.

The event at Spa-Francorchamps will host four F1 races over the next six seasons - 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031 - and will drop off the calendar in 2028 and 2030.

The Belgian race's contract was set to expire after this year's edition, with the organisers pushing for a fresh five-year deal.

But with interest from prospective venues to host a grand prix at an all-time high, and F1 particularly keen to expand into Asia, Spa had long been earmarked as one of several European rounds to enter a rotational system.

The end result is a compromise that will hand Spa, which depends on financial backing by the Walloon government, a longer running deal that allows it to write off investments and move away from its recent run of stressful short-term contract extensions. It also allows F1 the flexibility to add a new venue to the calendar without stretching beyond the limit of 24 races per season.

“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. In recent years it has undergone significant work to improve the facility and overall fan experience, and I would like to pay tribute to the promoter and the Government of Wallonia for their dedication and passionate support for Formula 1 in Belgium," said F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

Organisers Melchior Wathelet and Vanessa Maes added: “We are both very proud of this renewal, which reflects the mutual trust built as we have upgraded our infrastructure and delivered record attendance and fantastic fan experience over recent years. This contract extension has once again been made possible thanks to the support of the Walloon Government but also the fans of what we believe is the most beautiful circuit in the world. Together we are strengthening our commitment to the development of our wonderful region.”

Logan Sargeant, Williams W46,Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri VCARB01,Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri VCARB01

Photo by: Erik Junius

In Europe, Spa's deal leaves just the futures of Barcelona and Imola to be decided, with both races also facing expiring deals. Like Spa, Imola's current deal is running out after this season, while Barcelona's last races is currently scheduled in 2026, when it loses its Spanish Grand Prix moniker to a new race in Madrid.

The aforementioned races have seen competition for European slots diminish in recent months after organisers of Zandvoort's Dutch Grand Prix decided to draw the curtain on its event after the 2026 edition.

The Belgian Grand Prix, originally held on a fearsome 14km country road loop around the Ardennes forests, was one of the seven original races on the world championship's inaugural calendar in 1950.

After spells in Zolder and Nivelles, F1 returned to a curtailed and modernised Spa-Francorchamps in the 80s, with the popular Ardennes circuit still regarded as a fan and driver favourite. Spa has hosted the Belgian Grand Prix annually since 1985, with two interruptions in 2003 and 2006.