Formula 1 will continue to Race at Spa-Francorchamps for at least the next two seasons after extending its contract with the Belgian circuit by a single year again.

The high-speed track is a popular venue among many drivers but questions were raised over the safety of racing on the circuit following the death of a driver in a junior category in July. Dilano van ‘t Hoff died in a crash which occured on the Kemmel straight following a restart in wet conditions.

Van ‘t Hoff’s death in a Formula Regional European Championship race was the second fatality in a junior single-seater series at the circuit in four years. Anthoine Hubert was killed in a Formula 2 crash at the Raidillon corner in 2019.

That prompted some drivers to call for Spa’s signature Eau Rouge corner to be slowed by the addition of a chicane. The track already underwent extensive changes at Raidillon and elsewhere ahead of the 2022 race to increase the amount of run-off available.

However Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director George Russell said they are not pressing the FIA to make further safety changes at the circuit, which is the longest on the F1 calendar.

Spa’s place on the F1 calendar has been in doubt in recent seasons. The track was given a one-year extension to its previous deal to ensure its place on the 2023 schedule, though its race took place one months earlier than usual, forcing the annual 24 Hours of Spa endurance race to be rescheduled.

The 2024 F1 calendar was announced in July, featuring a round at Spa. Today’s news ensures the Belgian Grand Prix, one of F1’s longest-running races, will remain on the schedule for at least one more season beyond that.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the Belgian Grand Prix promoter “has taken big strides in the last few years to improve the fan experience and infrastructure, and work is ongoing between all the stakeholders with a clear focus on delivering safe and exciting racing.”

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