24H Spa Poised for Date Change as Belgian GP Clash Confirmed

Next year’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa is poised for a change of date after the FIA confirmed that the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place on the same weekend.

SRO Motorsports Group announced nearly two months ago that the 75th edition of the Belgian endurance classic would be held on July 28-30 next summer.

However, Tuesday’s release of the provisional 2023 F1 calendar shows the date of the Belgian Grand Prix as July 30.

Sportscar365 has contacted SRO for comment regarding its approach to the overlap.

Next year’s 24 Hours of Spa is booked as the third round of both the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup and the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli.

There is currently some room in the calendar for the race to be moved, considering that its provisional date sits four weeks after the Sprint Cup round at Misano and five weeks before the next Endurance Cup fixture at Hockenheim.

A change of date would also impact the GT4 European Series, which is due to appear on the 24 Hours of Spa support bill next year.

While the published F1 calendar is set to have consequences for SRO Motorsports Group, a date clash with the ACO-run 24 Hours of Le Mans has been avoided.

The FIA has been keen to prevent overlap between F1 and Le Mans as the latter event regains momentum with more manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche and Cadillac joining the Hypercar class.

Le Mans took place on the same weekend as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this year.

“In framing the 2023 F1 calendar, WMSC Members have been mindful of the timing of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.