Times are bad for the romantic Formula 1 fans.

For those who inevitably get goose bumps when they think of Eau Rouge, Blanchimont or La Source, the breath-taking corners of the Spa-Francorchamps Formula 1 circuit.

The "roller coaster" in the Belgian Ardennes is one of the most famous slopes in the world.

But that doesn't count for anything in modern Formula 1. The Belgian Grand Prix, which will be driven this Sunday (3 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for Formula 1 and on Sky), has at best a remaining term.

Spa will be off the calendar by 2024 at the latest, that's taken for granted.

Possibly next year.

The sport is booming - this is fatal for the operators of the race track.

The pinnacle of motorsport is flying high, inspiring people in front of the television and on social networks.

The fan community is growing, getting younger and more female.

Business is booming and everyone wants to get involved.

This Friday, Audi announced its entry from the 2026 season. Series boss Stefano Domenicali, who rubs his hands, is surrounded by a feeling of “we are who we are again”: There are more people interested in hosting a Grand Prix than there is space on the calendar.

In 2023, Formula 1 wants to hold 24 races - more than ever before.

Ideally, races should be held in equal parts across Europe, Asia and the rest of the world, in new and old locations.

The series boss wants to find the right balance.

This is going to be difficult.

The management of the American majority owner is trimmed for profit.

Organizing a Grand Prix costs the organizers an average of around 25 million euros.

European route operators cannot keep up with countries such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which are willing to pay any price, 30 or 40 million euros, to do sports washing, i.e. to polish up the dubious reputation with perfectly staged pictures.

The good-sounding idea of ​​a balance between the worlds gets into a huge imbalance on this itinerary along the money line.

Anyone who, like Domenicali, indirectly claims that Formula 1 is now spoiled for choice should use this luxury - for a decision against autocrats who invite their circus for political reasons alone and pay princely.

Otherwise the boom becomes a boomerang.