Dutch GP ’will affect’ Spa-Francorchamps - promoter

Belgian GP promoter Vanessa Mas has admitted that Zandvoort’s F1 calendar arrival in 2020 signifies direct "competition" for the popular race located in the Ardennes.

Not since 1985 has the neighbouring Netherlands had a grand prix.

Maes, who has taken over in charge of the Spa race from her father Andre, admitted that over 40 per cent of the entire crowd this weekend will be Max Verstappen’s Dutch fans.

So when asked about Zandvoort’s 2020 return to Formula 1, she told the Dutch publication Formule 1: "It will have an effect. It is competition.

"But it is also positive for the sport, and therefore it’s good for us too. We just have to work hard to keep the fans happy.

"We may get fewer Dutch, but there is also a gap between our races," Maes added. Indeed, on the provisional 2020 calendar, Zandvoort is in May while Spa keeps its traditional date at the end of the summer break.

Maes insisted: "We have nothing against the Dutch GP. We sincerely hope that they are successful."

She said she has spent her "entire life" at Spa-Francorchamps, and will make "every effort to keep Formula 1 here".

But Maes warned: "We do not have the financial resources that others have. We try to make every euro into two.

"One example: the French GP is more than 20 full-time people. Here, there are only four of us," she said.