Ecclestone negotiating to promote Spa

But the Briton is concerned that lengthy negotiations may see the event skipped again in 2007.

The 2006 Belgian Grand Prix was cancelled after the current promoter hit financial problems.

Ecclestone himself was the promoter of the race until 2002, and after a year off, the event returned to the 2004 Formula One calendar with a new promoter, local music impresario and former touring car champion Didier Defourny.

However, after two seasons, Defourny hit financial problems, and with local government refusing to back the Spa event, the race was removed from the 2006 calendar.

Ecclestone is now looking to promote the event himself, the Briton confirming today that he is negotiating with the circuit's society and the community of Spa-Francorchamps.

"We're talking to them about it; we want to take it over," Ecclestone told autosport.com. "We're hoping we can do something for 2007. It's just a matter of getting people to agree.

"We couldn't purchase the track, because it's a public road, so it's a little bit difficult. But we're trying to do a deal to hold the race, and I'll be the promoter. That's the whole idea."

Ecclestone warned that the local bureaucracy will need to be hastened. "They'll have to hurry up, we can't negotiate forever," he said. "Unless they want the race in 2008, then we can spend another year."

Ecclestone did have a clear idea what he would do with the historic Grand Prix venue, if he were able to acquire the track.

"If I could purchase it, I would, and I'd then put a toll road in and wouldn't have a race," he quipped.