"STOP RUINING MY GODDAMN SPORT" - F1 Fans furious as Belgium and Netherlands reported to be rotation on the calendar every alternate year

As per the latest developments, the F1 event in the Netherlands and Belgium is set to take place in alternate years, starting from 2026. Owners Liberty Media reportedly agreed to have Zandvoort and Spa-Francorchamps race alternatively as they cannot accommodate both races in a calendar year from 2026 due to increased demand. And this left fans to react to this furiously.

According to reports, a person directly involved with the negotiation revealed that the deal with Zandvoort and Spa-Francorchamps has been completed in a broad term.

However, fans in the Netherlands can breathe easy, since the Dutch Grand Prix is set to take place in 2025. Both the Belgian and Dutch GP will take place according to the schedule next year. The plan to host the races alternatively will take place in 2026, but it is yet to be announced if Spa-Francorchamps or Zandvoort will get the first race that year.

This did not go down too well with the fans, who shared their reactions on social media. Below are some reactions taken from X.

A fan remarked at the F1 CEO, "Stefano Domenicali you should have stepped down from CEO yesterday STOP RUINING MY GODDAMN SPORT."

Another fan vented out his frustration at the management, "Further evidence that Formula 1 management sucks. An F1 season without Spa is hollow."

"Sad to see Spa get pushed aside for street tracks," another fan wrote on the increased street tracks in F1 calendar, which resulted in Spa's exclusion.

Another fan wrote as he seemed surprised about having three US races in the calendar but not Spa, "Rotating Spa but keeping 3 U.S tracks on the calendar."

"Horrible decision. Spa should be annual," wrote another fan who wanted the Spa-Francorchamps race to be an annual event.

A fan criticized Liberty Media as well, "They only think about money. Spa is the best circuit in F1."

Notably, the Liberty Media management is yet to comment on this and announce their decision.

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What led F1 to take such a drastic step?

Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group, looks on the grid before the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 28, 2024, in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

The answer in short is increased competition. Liberty Media has added multiple new races to its calendar over the last couple of years, and reports say there are numerous venues lined up to be a part of the sport.

Statistically, Liberty Media added three new venues to its calendar in the last couple of years: Jeddah's Saudi Arabian GP, the Las Vegas GP, and the Miami GP.

Reports say many new countries are also interested in hosting races, such as South Africa, Turkey, Germany, Saudi Arabia (second race), Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea.

To make space, Liberty Media had to take a decisive step, which turned out to be unfortunate for Belgian and Dutch fans. Surprisingly, the F1 owners can also exclude the Emilia Romagna GP in Imola, and replace it with a new venue. However, there is no concrete report as yet.