Belgium close to deal on GP

Michel Daerden, budget minister in the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia where the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is located, told parliament that a deal was nearly done, reported local agency Belga.

"I am looking at the infrastructure dossier. It is practically finalised, without much else to say. I have here a near agreement," said Daerden, brandishing a document.

The minister's spokesman confirmed that the parties trying to keep the Grand Prix in Belgium were "quite far" in their project.

The future of the race was thrown into jeopardy when the previous promoter went bankrupt due to poor ticket sales.

Ecclestone offered to take up the contract but this raised the ire of local politicians because of the price Belgium's poorest region with the highest rate of unemployment could end up paying Ecclestone.

The track is a favourite of Ferrari's seven-times World Champion Michael Schumacher, who made his debut at Spa in 1991 and claimed his first Grand Prix win there the following year.

Despite the difficulties, the race has been included on the 2006 calendar with a September 17 date.