Formula 1 has announced a new 'rotational deal' for the Belgian Grand Prix, with the race set to take place four times between 2026 and 2031, leaving two years for an alternate venue.

While the new global venues joining the F1 calendar remain under wraps, the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium will continue to host Grands Prix in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031.

โ€œThe Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension,โ€ Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said in a statement.

However, Melchior Wathelet, the Belgian GP promoter, described the negotiations as โ€œcomplicatedโ€, amidst F1's plan to cap European races.

โ€œWe are very satisfied. These negotiations have been complicated. Formula 1 only wants eight races in Europe, and it has been difficult to get a long-term deal,โ€ Wathelet told Belgian news agency Sporza.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit has recently undergone renovations, including the addition of two new grandstands, boosting its capacity by 10,000.

As the sport's global appeal continues to grow, the financial stakes of hosting a race have risen accordingly.

โ€œThe amount is higher since 2026, it has grown by 2-4%. We think it's a reasonable increase, it's an understandable inflation that we think we can even out,โ€ he said.

As the European region has historically dominated the F1 calendar, the question now is which countries will fill the 2028 and 2030 slots left vacant by the Belgian GP deal.ย 

While Thailand has shown interest, Rwanda is planning a new circuit near the capital, Kigali, with a potential opening in 2028 at the earliest. There's also speculation about the return of the Turkish Grand Prix, which was last held in 2021.