Spa still far from future GP deal

Although there were widespread rumours earlier today that a provisional deal had been struck between the local government and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone for a five-year deal from 2007, it is now understood that only a proposal has so far been drafted by the local authorities.

The Walloon government have put together a six-point plan that they want to submit to Ecclestone before a new contract is agreed.

The points are that,

• the Walloon government cannot be sued for damages for the cancellation of the 2006 Belgian Grand Prix;

• the current contract between Ecclestone and the Walloon government is declared void;

• a new five-year contract is put in place, with a break clause after three years;

• Ecclestone becomes promoter for the Belgian Grand Prix;

• the Walloon government is not binded to guarantee race will take place;

• the race fee is fixed at 18 million Euros, although six million Euros of this could come back from race sponsorship.

The proposal still needs to be voted on by the Walloon parliament and only then will Minister of the Economy, Jean-Claude Marcourt, can take the matter to London for Bernie Ecclestone's input.

This year's Belgian Grand Prix was cancelled earlier on this week to allow major upgrade work to take place at Spa-Francorchamps. This includes improvements to La Source, spectator facilities, the paddock and access roads.