Spa set for 2007 return?

Although the 2006 Belgian Grand Prix has already been removed from the Formula One calendar, the race is set to return next year - with the local government reported to have put together a deal to secure the long-term future of the race.

According to RTBF.be, the government of the Walloon region has approved the modernisation of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit at a cost of EUR18million and will then match that amount to ensure that the race takes place for the coming seasons - repurchasing the current deal signed with Bernie Ecclestone and signing a new agreement to run for five years, with a clause stating that the situation would be revised after three years.

Such a deal would ensure that a race would definitely take place for three years, with Ecclestone the person who would run the event.

Meanwhile the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Cesar Maia, is reported to have offered to host a second Grand Prix in Brazil in order to keep 19 races on the F1 calendar this season.

Under the proposals suggested, Rio would host a Grand Prix for the first time since 1990 with the Nelson Piquet circuit as the venue - giving Brazil two races in just over a month if a Rio race was to take the date originally set aside for the Belgium event.