Work has now begun on Spa-Francorchamps’ circuit upgrade.
The historic and popular Belgian venue skipped the 2006 calendar, but with the promise of a new paddock and pits, Bernie Ecclestone has agreed to reinstate the race with a September ’07 date.
The renovations are reported to be costing up to (US)$80 million, including a revised Bus Stop chicane and grandstands.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, meanwhile, reported that Imola is on the verge of demolishing with dynamite its own pit lane facilities, despite facing little prospect of returning to the calendar in the future.
The same report said the F1 drivers’ union GPDA – led by Fernando Alonso, Ralf Schumacher and Mark Webber – is to inspect safety improvements at the Jerez circuit before agreeing to test there again.
Jerez, in the south west of Spain, is scheduled to host key post-season tests in December.
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com