Tuesday 30 August at 09:35 : Aug.30 (GMM) Renault team owner Gerard Lopez has confirmed his interest in buying into Spa-Francorchamps.

The fabled Belgian circuit is a favourite among drivers and fans, but for financial reasons it might have to annually alternate a single race date in future with France.

Spa is currently controlled by the local Walloon government, and it was rumoured recently that Lopez's Genii Capital was interested in buying into the track.

"Spa is a great circuit," he told the Tageblatt Luxembourg newspaper, "and there would be a lot more we can do with it. We could develop together for the region.

"So if they are open for (talks with) private investors, then why not?" said Lopez.

The circuit's general manager Pierre-Alain Thibaut, however, said that is unlikely.

"It is not possible," he told The National. "The circuit is so important and imperative to all the region from an economic point of view.

"Of course, anything can happen, but, in my opinion, it is not the right way forward."