The two countries being talked about to rotate with the Belgian Grand Prix in 2028 and 2030 to host F1 races

Spa Francorchamps has secured a new deal with Formula 1 that will keep it on the calendar until at least 2031.

The legendary track in the hills and forests of Stavelot, Belgium, has been a staple of the F1 calendar since the inaugural season in 1950.

Since then, it has hosted 57 Grand Prix, making it the fourth most visited circuit behind Monza, Monaco and Silverstone.

Spa has signed a new six-year extension to their deal, but the circuit will only host races in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031.

This means the Belgian GP will be off the calendar in 2028 and 2030 – the first time since 2006. It comes after F1’s decision to introduce a rotational schedule that will come into effect in 2026.

With two races to fill in Spa’s absence, many have wondered which circuits could replace the Belgian GP for 2028 and 2030.

An Italian circuit and Barcelona are being talked about to replace Spa Francorchamps in 2028 and 2030

F1 is looking to group races by region to meet green targets. Early indications say that Canada will be moved closer to the Miami GP, Monaco closer to the European leg of the season and races in Australia and the Middle East will start the year, which could see Saudi Arabia host two races.

This means that the Belgian GP will likely be replaced by a European circuit. Journalist Joris Mosterdijk spoke on the RacingNews365 YouTube channel about which tracks could be rotated onto the calendar in 2028 and 2030.

Mosterdijk says ‘our sources’ are talking about an Italian circuit and Barcelona potentially replacing Spa. Imola is not expected to continue beyond its contract expiration in 2025, while Barcelona will be switched out for a new street circuit in Madrid to host the Spanish Grand Prix from next year and beyond.

“The Belgian Grand Prix had its contract extended until 2031, which means that the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit will remain on the calendar,” said Mosterdijk.

“It must be said that there are minor snags, because of the six-year extension, only four new races will be held, 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031.

“In 2028 and 2030, the contract will continue but there will be no race and now it seems that for the first time, there will also be an official rotation schedule, that we already knew about.

“Now of course it is the question with which will Spa rotate in 2028 and 2030. Well, that is not yet known but our sources are talking about at least an Italian circuit and probably the Grand Prix of Barcelona.”

Which other circuits could be rotated with Spa?

Imola and Barcelona would certainly be one of the first options to be rotated back onto the calendar in 2028 and 2030 given they recently hosted Grand Prix. But F1 could see a return of other historic circuits.

Mugello and Portimao hosted races during the COVID-19-affected 2020 season and the high-speed nature of the circuits would prove to bring exciting racing action with the new era of cars in 2026.

Likewise, Istanbul would be a welcome return from fans and drivers. The iconic circuit was brought back to the calendar in 2020 after a nine-year hiatus, with the race seeing Lewis Hamilton grab his seventh world championship.

Zandvoort has also been rumoured as a track that could be alternated, but the Dutch GP promoter confirmed the 2026 race would be its last after opting against a new long-term contract.