Ecclestone promises to promote Francorchamps

13 December 2005

BRUSSELS — Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has repeated assurances he is prepared to organise the Belgian Grand Prix next year.

The official confirmation came as Ecclestone met in London on Monday with representatives of the promotion company of the F1 circuit in Spa-Francorchamps.

Ecclestone also said he will not ask the Wallonian government to provide a financial guarantee, newspaper ‘Het Nieuwsblad’ reported on Tuesday.

Relinquishing control of the Grand Prix will come to much relief of the Wallonian government due to intense criticism in recent weeks about the financial burden the race has placed on its shoulders.

Wallonia took over responsibility of the event this year after promoters ran into financial difficulties. The controversy deepened amid reports of a contract committing Wallonia financially Grand Prix’s survival.

However, Ecclestone also hinted on Monday that a new contract would be drawn up that would be beneficial to the Wallonian government. The F1 boss said the contract would be good for him also.

It means Belgium can look forward to hosting a Formula One race for many years to come without the pressure of having to promote it.

“We are at a very serious stage in the negotiations. We want to guarantee the existence of this grand prix. And we don’t want to do it for one year – we want long-term stability,” Ecclestone said.

Meanwhile, Ecclestone also met with the organiser of the 2004 and 2005 Francorchamps on Monday.

Subject: Belgian news