Wallonia’s government has given its approval to a behind closed doors Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix this year, assuming hygiene conditions can be met.
All Europe-based Formula 1 events that can be held through 2020, given respective government approval, are expected to be closed to spectators due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The season is set to begin with two races apiece in Austria and Britain in July and early August, followed by further stops in Europe, Eurasia, Asia and the Americas.
It is set to conclude in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in mid-December.
On Wednesday Belgium’s central National Security Council confirmed that sporting and recreational venues can re-open from Monday (May 18), under certain conditions.
Groups of no more than 20 people will be permitted while social distancing measures must be observed, with cafes and restaurants at any venue prohibited from opening.
On Friday morning Elio Di Rupo, the Ministre-President of the Walloon region in which Spa-Francorchamps is located, and Vice-President and Economy Minister Willy Borsus confirmed that the venue can re-open from Monday.
They also confirmed that a behind closed doors Belgian Grand Prix has been approved.
However the government stressed that the re-opening of the circuit, and the hosting of a grand prix, will only remain valid so long as social distancing and hygiene measures are observed.
Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix was originally scheduled to be held on August 30.
Race organisers will still need to reach revised terms with Formula 1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media over a 2020 event, due to the changed conditions.
All sporting events in Belgium remain suspended until at least the end of June.
