Belgium close to deal on F1 GP, says minister

Belgium has almost reached a deal with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to save the country's Grand Prix. Michel Daerden, budget minister in the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia where the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is located, told...

Belgium has almost reached a deal with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to save the country's Grand Prix. Michel Daerden, budget minister in the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia where the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is located, told parliament that a deal was nearly done.

"I am looking at the infrastructure dossier. It is practically finalised, without much else to say. I have here a near agreement," said Daerden, brandishing a document.

The future of the race was thrown into jeopardy when the previous promoter went bankrupt due to poor ticket sales.

Ecclestone offered to take up the contract but this raised the ire of local politicians because of the price Belgium's poorest region with the highest rate of unemployment could end up paying Ecclestone.

The track is a favourite of Ferrari's Michael Schumacher who made his debut at Spa in 1991.

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