Schumacher blasts through Eau Rouge at the 2002 Belgian GP Spa's F1 hopes stubbed out

Wallon region economic minister Serge Kubla said the race would take place on 29 August next year.

The race, which was dropped from the F1 calendar this year, was reinstated after the Belgian government softened their tough laws on tobacco advertising last month.

Kubla said Formula One ring master Bernie Ecclestone would make the announcement confirming the return of the sport to Belgium on Tuesday.

"In the calendar the weekend of 28 and 29 August 2004, is reserved for the Belgian Grand Prix," said Kubla.

"We're regaining our place in the calendar on the date which was ours in the past.

"The contract between Ecclestone and the Spa circuit runs until 2010 but it includes a get-out clause in the case of the banning of tobacco advertising."

The news will be met with delight among the F1 drivers, who regard the 4.3-mile Spa-Francorchamps as the most challenging race track in the world.

The track is widely regarded as the most challenging in the world and is a favourite of Ferrari's world champion Michael Schumacher, who made his debut at Spa in 1991 and won his first F1 race there in 1992.