The FIA have today confirmed recent speculation by announcing that the 2006 Belgian Grand Prix has been cancelled. The reason for the cancellation is so that essential upgrade works can be carried out on the facilities of the track, with the pits and paddock area lagging behind many of the other new tracks, namely Bahrain, China and Turkey. The news was received by the FIA via the country's National Sporting Authority, who are keen to make the necissary changes to secure the long-term future of the track.

The race was cast into doubt a few months ago when it was revealed the race's promoter had gone bankrupt. Since then other promoters have been named, but it is rumoured that Bernie Ecclestone will promote the race himself, in return for having the track updated. The track is now hoping to be on the calendar for 2007.

This news now means that the 2006 season will feature only 18 races, with an extra week free between the Italian and Chinese Grands Prix, a week that will probably be spent at the test track.

The Belgian Grand Prix is not the only race that has been forced to refurbish, with the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari due to get a makeover during the winter. Although no evidence has been presented saying that they were forced to do so by Ecclestone, one can only wonder why it will be done, had the Supremo not advised them to do so.

Since the first year of the championship in 1950, the Belgian Grand Prix has appeared on the calendar for 51 of the 56 seasons, with the exceptions being 1957, 1959, 1969, 1971 and 2003. It may also be worth noting that the track was voted inside the top three by fans in a poll conducted by the FIA last year.