The future of the Belgian GP has come under threat, after the local State Council revoked Spa-Francorchamps‘ license until the year 2026.
The decision was made after receiving several complaints from local residents about the amount of noise coming from the track.
After an initial investigation on the issue of its current license in 2007, the State said the track’s efforts to reduce noise pollution from the track since was “seriously inadequate and incomplete.”
However this decision has come as a complete shock to Circuit Director Pierre-Alain Thibault.
“Since the filing of the complaint, the situation has changed. The circuit has worked hard to reduce noise, and relations with local residents has improved.” said Thibault. “It is a difficult situation, but we’ve made commitments vis-a-vis a range of people, and we must comply on pain of having to pay damages. We will challenge the government, and organise a dialogue with the board of residents.”
Update: Government officials have temporarily suspended the ban, pending further legal action with Spa’s intention to appeal the Council of State’s decision. This means the Spa Six Hours event can go ahead as planned this weekend without threat of it being cancelled.
The original complaint which lead to the action by State Council was believed to have been submitted by a voluntary anti-noise organisation.
