2013 Belgian GP: The Spa Conundrum

The Belgian Grand Prix is over. Teams and drivers have celebrated their win and are busy packing their bags and loading trucks to move on and prepare for the next race. But it’s the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps which seems to have been let down again. The Circuit, which is arguably the most favored one in F1, has inadvertently been on the list of tracks to be removed from the calendar and make way for new financially viable ones. But this is not the first time that Spa finds itself in trouble.

After being struck off from the calendar in 2003 and 2006, it’s survival up until now is quite incredible, much to the joy of the fans across the globe. But will it be able to survive the competition from other tracks waiting to get an F1 tag? The question is a difficult one to answer. Read on to understand more about the Spa dilemma and possible solutions.

The Grandstand at Spa

The Financial Woes

Spa – the Jewel of the race tracks, faced initial problems when the Belgian GP was called off for the 2003 F1 season due to Belgian (and European) tobacco laws that restricted any kind of advertisements of tobacco. At that time, teams like Ferrari, Renault, Jordan, BAR and McLaren had sponsorships from tobacco companies and were quite prominent displays on their cars.

The track was given a go-ahead in 2004 after an understanding on the tobacco company sponsorship but was off the calendar again in 2006. This time it was due to delays in completing the improvements to the track. The Circuit made its comeback in 2007 after the completion of the track and financial support from the Walloon Government.

The circuit itself isn’t the only challenging part, but its political system is one which makes it even more difficult for the track to survive. Multiple stakeholders, reduction in the number of fans attending the Grand Prix and the logistical issues around Spa add to the list of challenges. The infrastructural and hospitality services around Spa are not the best in the world, and that’s a formidable reason which makes the fans stay away from the race.

The track, also, doesn’t have the best of the Grand-stands, with very few seating areas having covered overhead structures for protection from the unpredictable rain. In a bid to save the track from its financial problems, it was reported that talks of sharing Spa with the Nurburgring in Germany or Magny-Cours in France were held but eventually those never materialized.

A protester at the 2013 Belgian GP

Shell- the current sponsors of the Belgium GP, had a problem of their own when Greenpeace activists took over parts of the track and also the podium celebrations at the recently concluded race. The activists were protesting against Shell’s controversial oil drilling activity in the Arctic. They hurled banners all around showing Shell as a major threat to the Arctic. The impact of the protests on Shell’s sponsorship and Spa holding next years race is said to be critical.

Solutions Anyone?

Is there a solution to the problems of Spa? Below are some suggestions.

Fans at the 2013 Belgium Grand Prix

• Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA boss, for one should probably not think of the money the circuit generates but instead help to preserve one of the most historical circuit. He, as the head of the management, should be pushing hard to get sponsorships for Spa.

• The Walloon government, which is a major stakeholder in Spa, has a major role to play not only in its development and upkeep but also as to how they can continue to help Spa remain a sought after tourist destination. If required, they could also sell some of their stake in the circuit to get private players and sponsors involved, which would get in some funds and eventually help give the circuit a new life.

• Infrastructural and hospitality services could also be improved by having a mix of luxury and budget hotels. This would give the tourists a choice of choosing their stay over the race weekend. Currently, the area has only high-end luxury hotels which are more suited to the VIPs who visit the circuit during the race weekend.

• The race drivers who are candid enough to admit that Spa is the most favored circuit in the calendar need to do their bit to save it from going off the F1 scene. While some of them may have low salary figures but most of them do make enough money and can surely contribute a small portion to save their favorite circuit. If a pool/fund for Spa can be made with contributions from both teams and drivers, the circuit is likely to stay on for donkey’s years .

• What can the fans do to help Spa? For starters, they can probably have a worldwide forum of F1 fans voice their opinions and discuss possible solutions and even sign a petition for saving Spa. Some of these suggestions can then be passed on to the authorities. If the need arises, contributions could also be asked to made in the form of donations.

If you have some more suggestions, we would definitely like to hear it in the comments!