UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Spa must run 2006 grand prix

'guarantees' in place

(GMM) A scandal has erupted in Belgium concerning the future of Spa-Francorchamps' grand prix.

While the race's promoter is bankrupt and therefore unable to stage the 2006 event, it seems that the local Walloon government also signed an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone, promising to 'guarantee' the race's smooth running.

Former economy minister Serge Kubla denied the news.

''The government always refused to put up a guarantee,'' he told 'RTBF' TV. Former budget minister, Michel Baerden, also denied signing Bernie's guarantee document.

So who signed it? ''Honestly, I do not know,'' Baerden told the Le Soir newspaper.

According to the grapevine, former minister-president Jean-Marie Happart signed 'without reading' the contract. But whoever signed, someone did -- meaning that unless a Belgian grand prix is put on in September 2006, the government will be fined $16.5 million euro, increasing 5 per cent until 2010.

So why is Spa on the 2006 calendar? Because the signed Ecclestone contract states that it is so, and Walloon's legal advice is that a UK court would rule against them.

Written: Tue, 22 Nov 2005 17:58:14