Dorna Sports’ CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has confirmed MotoGP will not be making a return to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium in the coming years due to safety issues with the circuit.
The iconic 4.3-mile circuit, situated in the heart of the Ardennes Forest, hosted grand prix motorcycle racing from 1949 through to 1990, before being struck off for the following season due to a number a serious incidents raising concerns over safety.
In recent months, Spa’s director Nathalie Maillet has been in contact with Dorna over a possible revival of the Belgian Grand Prix in the coming years.
But the circuit still lacks the necessary run-off areas at certain points of the track, and the removal of gravel from some of the circuit’s fastest points has prompted Ezpeleta to brand the idea of homologation as ‘almost impossible’.
“They contacted us last summer. But the main problem is the safety. For us it’s almost impossible to homolgate the circuit for MotoGP,” he said to crash.net.
Though MotoGP may be out, the Spaniard did confirm Spa had made proposals for circuit alterations that could see it host a round of the World Superbike Championship.
“We are discussing a little bit for Superbike, they proposed to do some works. But for sure, for the moment, ‘no’ for MotoGP, and Superbike we need to talk about it.”
As for MotoGP’s other potential destinations, Ezpeleta confirmed talks are still ongoing with Thailand and Indonesia, while also admitting that the proposed Finnish Grand Prix from the under-construction KymiRing will likely be pushed back a year to 2019.
“We are still talking. The Indonesian project is continuing. They are working. We are talking also with Thailand. Buriram is another project also. We are talking with both.
“(Finland) will probably be 2019. They are continuing to work. We continue a relationship with them, yes. It’s up to them. If they finish on time to be homologated before ’18. If not, it will be ’19.”
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