Ecclestone says deal close on Belgian GP

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone says he is close to reaching a deal with the Belgian government to secure the future of the country's Grand Prix after the local promoter ran into financial trouble.

The regional government of Wallonia has been engaged in a political row about the possible tens of millions of euros it might have to pay Ecclestone to keep the Spa-Francorchamps race on the calendar.

Ecclestone told Belgian television station RTBF this week he would take over promotion of the race and a deal would be reached at the beginning of next week.

He said there were "very serious negotiations" to secure Spa's long-term future.

Although it is one of the great and historic F1 circuits, the promoter ran into trouble after poor ticket sales this year and the government had to lend him 15 million euros to pay Ecclestone.