AUGUST 18, 2003

Belgium goes back to its traditional date

Serge Kubla, the Belgian politician who has been negotiating for a return of the Belgian Grand Prix in 2004, says that the race will be back on the calendar with an August 29 date. Kubla is the Finance Minister for the Walloon region. Kubla added that the new contract runs until 2010.

The return of the traditional Spa date at the end of September will be greeted with enthusiasm in F1 circles as the Ardennes circuit is one of the favorites for drivers and fans alike.

The race was dropped from the calendar this year when the Belgian government voted to bring in a tobacco ban earlier than the rest of Europe. That law was changed when a new government took power a few months ago.