Despite the fact that the promoters of the Belgian grand prix have declared bankruptcy, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is adamant that the 2006 event will go ahead as planned unless of course the Wallonian government is prepared to pay 14 million euros in fines for every year it misses of their current contract.

"There is a contract between us and the Wallonian government. I can't see why there should be a debate on this," he told Le Soir. "Why negotiate? There is no urgency as the contract already exists. There is nothing any more but one concern: that the contract is respected. When a contract is signed, it should be respected. Period."

Judging by Ecclestone’s comments, the race will go ahead on the 17th of September next year, as planned.