Belgian GP sold-out thanks to Verstappen and Vandoorne

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Formula 1 will perform in front of a full house at Spa this year, with all grandstand tickets sold out for the entire Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

The event, scheduled August 25-27, will likely enjoy its best ticket sales since 2001, when Michael Schumacher's success with Ferrari was the race's main catalyst.

Belgian GP promoter André Maes is expecting to reach a sell-out crowd of 250,000 for the race weekend.

"It's correct that all the grandstand seats are sold out. Not just for Sunday, but for the entire weekend," Maes told Motorsport.com.

"At the request of the authorities, and for security reasons, we are forced to limit the amount of tickets sold.

"This number we have practically already reached, with over 260,000 spectators likely across the three days."

Vandoorne gets his own grandstand at Spa

Ticket sales at Spa have been boosted in the last two years by Max Verstappen, who enjoys a large contingent of Dutch and Belgian fans.

But the presence on the grid this year of local hero Stoffel Vandoorne has also helped sales, along with the absence of a German Grand Prix on the calendar, with the country's fans flocking to nearby Spa to enjoy the action.

"The Max Verstappen effect continues to be a reality. It's far more important for us than the disappearance of the German Grand Prix," Maes explains.

The race will also mark the 50th edition of a Grand Prix held at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps track, prompting organisers and The Formula One Group to embellish the race weekend with a series side-shows and off-track entertainment.

"Novelties are a fan zone which has two to three times the number of attractions compared to previous years", said Maes.

Fans will also enjoy a demo run of Michael Schumacher's race-winning Benetton B192 which the F1 legend drove to his maiden Grand Prix victory in the Ardennes in 1992.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.