Is this the end of the Belgian GP?

The F1 circus returns to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend for what could be the very last time. Yes, really. As of right now, the greatest race on the F1 calendar (okay, we’ll gloss over 2021…) is off the menu. And if it stays off, the chances of it returning seem slender indeed.

How did we get to this ridiculous position? You don’t have to ask because you know already. Moolah, wonga, dosh, mazuma, readies, folding or filthy bloody lucre, call it what you will, it all comes down to money. But briefly:

Next year the number of World Championship races held in a season will increase from the current 22 to a record 24. No problem there even if that does mean going for the second time to that well known home of sporting endeavour, Qatar. The problem is that there are some returnees too: China, Las Vegas and, quite wonderfully, South Africa have also been promised races if they are ready to host them.