Some folk talking absolute tosh about danger and risk to lives here – should be celebrating that one of the best and most challenging circuits in the world remains on the calendar.

I, for one, was "extracting the urine" - Spa is a classic, Qatar sits at the other end of the scale.
Sadly, since it's all cash driven the standard of race you get isn't a factor.

Spa isn’t any more dangerous than most other tracks in any conditions. The difference is that it actually hosts a lot of racing unlike most F1 tracks and when something happens there it’s “OMG! Won’t somebody think of the F1 children!”

And for St. Petersburg. They want to do a little sports washing too.

LMAO

Anyone remember when Bottas didn’t go for fastest lap in the Netherlands even though it was 99% certain he wasn’t being resigned. That said a lot.

F1 has become a bloody joke when it comes to the race directors since Whiting passed, how the media uses downtime to focus on “what ifs” and the fans who have come in since DTS. And even when you make logical observations about how we’re going too far toward caution, you must be a monster who wants carnage. The reality is that, statistically, you’re far more likely to be killed on your drive to work than driving in a modern F1 car on a modern circuit. The safety of the cars and tracks are great. What’s not great is this brand new MO where a car on the side of the track, no matter how safely positioned, is an automatic VSC or full safety car, gravel alone can lead to an SC, no real running in the rain, etc.

Having 32 interested parties means there could be, what, like eight alternatives to Spa? It's not going to be a 32 race calendar of course.

Interesting you mention Barranquilla (Columbia), I haven't seen much about that of late; first they wanted to join in 2024, then 2025, now some more recent reports talk about 2028. It doesn't sound like there's much there yet.

Oh well, I suppose we'll see. There is plenty of racing at Spa even without F1, so if they'd rather cruise through Seoul if it makes them feel better, it's all good. No worries.

So, temporary circuits being long term options.
Somehow this doesn't feel right.

MichaelN That's from more than half a year ago, so not so recently anymore & he only said that as a theoretical reference because such a high amount can never happen in a series like F1 anyway, not to mention that isn't even his desire in the first place.
As for Turkey, it'd already be & or would've remained after the two COVID-substitutions if it were a viable option for long-term stability.
The much-reported temporary circuit plan in Madrid is the most likely long-term option & other viable options could be a temporary circuit in either Colombia, somewhere else in Africa, or maybe Seoul.

They - F1 and the teams - want more money.

Domenicali recently said they could have 32 races a year, so presumably there is interest. Not sure who, though; Malaysia doesn't want it, Germany doesn't seem all that bothered, and Russia is obviously a no-go. Korea and India haven't shown any hint of wanting F1 to return. Turkey, maybe?

They'd presumably love to have a race in Africa for sure, and as a world championship they should definitely strive to be there, but there are currently no Grade 1 tracks there that could host an F1 race. While Kyalami in South-Africa might be able to make the changes needed to get there, it's still not going to be a great fit for modern F1 cars. Like Zandvoort it'd be quite fun to drive, but not so much to race.

Because they don't have the money that other tracks/countries have/offer.

A real shame…Spa is arguably the best track in the calendar.

At least one of the recent fatal crashes at spa in minor formulas was in the dry.

They need to keep the flexibility there, in case Kuwait wants in too.

The best track ever gets a one year deal.
Catar has a 10 year deal.

Yes, but the dangerous conditions at Spa are due to the rain, that Spa gets plenty of, whereas Qatar is a bit short of rain.
On the other side of the coin, Qatar offers pretty limitless cash, whereas Spa offers only normal levels of cash.