Postby Maserati » February 9th, 2006, 12:47 am
September's Belgian grand prix has been cancelled to allow the Spa track to be improved, Formula One's ruling body said in a statement on Wednesday.
The race had been in doubt because of problems over who would promote the event after the previous promoter went bankrupt because of poor ticket sales.
The FIA said it hoped the grand prix would be raced from 2007 onwards.
"The Belgian National Sporting Authority, the RACB, has written to notify the FIA of the withdrawal of the 2006 Belgian Grand Prix from the FIA Formula One World Championship," the statement said.
"The withdrawal has been made in order to allow the completion of extensive improvement work to facilities at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit."
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone had been in negotiations with the regional government of southern Wallonia about the race's future.
A spokesman for the Walloon government said they had been informed of the decision by the FIA.
"The news was expected, but it will give us time to organize something even better in 2007," the spokesman said.
"We are continuing to analyse the situation."
