Davignon: “There will be a Belgian Grand Prix after 2012”

A meeting took place late in the morning between Etienne Davignon, president of Spa Grand Prix, and Bernie Ecclestone to discuss the future of the Belgian Grand Prix, whose contract ends next year, and the discussion obviously included the alternation with a future French Grand Prix.

« I said that we were using the opportunity to alternate from 2013 with a neighboring country. We had discussions with the French who showed interest in having a French Grand Prix starting in 2013, under established conditions. The discussions we had with them confirm that the possibility to do it exists, now they must finalize their internal organization themselves, » explains Davignon as he leaves Bernie Ecclestone’s motorhome.

If the idea of alternation is clearly not unanimous among Belgian journalists, for Davignon, it is nonetheless the best solution that is expected to become widespread in the future.

We are convinced, and what I heard today reinforces this idea, that the system of alternation will develop, and therefore, when a system change occurs, it is better to be an actor in what is going to happen to you rather than the person being told what to do.

For the Grand Prix promoter, the objective is clear: he wants to keep a Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. If it were possible to hold the event every year, he would do so, but that’s not the case. Therefore, he has tried to find the best possible solution, and for him, alternating is the best way to maintain an F1 race in Belgium.

« It’s quite clear, if the journalists, if the enthusiasts chip in to give me the money I don’t have, then we will continue each year. It’s not me who wants to leave, I want to keep the Grand Prix. I’m tired of this kind of discussion saying ‘You’re someone from the outside, you don’t care about automobiles.’ I want to keep a Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps! Period. So am I trying to keep it every year under the current conditions? The objective elements (Editor’s note: the figures) show that no, we can’t. We have invented a solution that is an improvement compared to not having it at all, so let’s stop whining about what we prefer and what we can’t afford. A few years ago it was established that it would be over, today it’s not over and people say it’s not enough. I wish it could be better. I want it to be clear: we will keep a Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, it was not a given. »

At a fan forum organized by FOTA, Martin Whitmarsh stated that it was important to preserve historic tracks such as Spa and Silverstone, for example. The McLaren team principal and FOTA president added that teams were willing to receive less money to race on these tracks, but the commercial rights holder also needed to do the same, which did not seem to be the case.

« Up to a certain point, but not enough to offset my deficit, » explains Etienne Davignon when asked if the historical aspect of the Ardennes slide plays a role in negotiations about the future of the Belgian event. « But please, he is beside it. Anyone who does better than me in achieving the goal, I don’t complain, I thank them, I give them a cake, and all the better, » he adds.

« The conditions for having a Belgian Grand Prix after 2012 exist. Now those who need to sign everything and make the decisions have a choice to make between saying yes or no. I think they will say yes. »

*From our correspondent in Spa-Francorchamps*