Saudi Sports Minister Crowns Sergio Perez with F1 STC Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2023 Prize

Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has crowned Sergio Perez. SPA
Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has crowned Sergio Perez. SPA
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Saudi Sports Minister Crowns Sergio Perez with F1 STC Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2023 Prize

Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has crowned Sergio Perez. SPA
Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has crowned Sergio Perez. SPA

Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has crowned Mexico’s Sergio Perez with F1 STC Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2023 Prize who ranked first in the race held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, driver of Red Bull and champion of the last edition, ranked second and George Russell, who drove the Mercedes Team, came third.

In remarks following the event, the Saudi Minister of Sports expressed pleasure of the success of the third Formula event being held in Saudi Arabia, citing the unlimited support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the Kingdom’s sports sector.

The next round of the Formula Once Race is scheduled to be held in Melbourne, Australia.



Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
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Belgian Grand Prix Gets Contract Extension but Set to Be Dropped from Schedule in 2028 and 2030

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the second free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, on Aug. 21, 2015. (AP)

Formula 1 has extended its contract with the Belgian Grand Prix, but one of the sport's most established races is set to be dropped from the schedule in 2028 and 2030.

The extension starting from next year includes races only in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031, F1 said Wednesday.

F1’s push in recent years to expand the schedule with more races in the United States and Asia has meant more competition for traditional venues in Europe seeking to keep their places on the calendar.

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a favorite with many drivers for its flowing high-speed layout through forested hills, was on the F1 schedule for the first championship season in 1950 and has been on the calendar every year since 2007.

"The Belgian Grand Prix was one of the races that made up our maiden Championship in 1950, so as we kick off our 75th anniversary year it is fitting that we can share the news of this important extension," F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

"Spa-Francorchamps is rightly lauded by drivers and fans alike as one of the finest racetracks in the world and it has played host to some incredible moments over its many seasons in Formula 1."

This year's Belgian Grand Prix race weekend is from July 25 through 27, including a sprint race.