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BELGIANS SEEK ECCLESTONE HELP

Belgium's regional Walloon government is set to ask Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone for help to secure the future of the country's grand prix.

The regional government is looking at ways of plugging the funding gap for next year's race at Spa.

The track's future as an F1 venue was cast into doubt last month when Luxembourg said it would not help.

But now the Walloon econonic minister Jean-Claude Marcourt will appeal directly to Ecclestone for assistance, reports BBC Sport.

The regional government lent the promoters £10million to pay to Ecclestone for the 2005 race but cannot afford to repeat that.

The Belgian government, a major shareholder in the track, is considering having Ecclestone replace the race promoter should it be forced to withdraw through financial shortcomings.