CREVENTIC is saddened to hear of the passing of Circuit Spa-Francorchamps CEO, Nathalie Maillet. 

As confirmed in an official statement on the circuit’s official website, the team at Spa-Francorchamps is mourning the loss last night of Ms Maillet, “a passionate woman, strong in her convictions and always looking to the future”.

"My thoughts are with Nathalie's family, her parents, her loved ones and her teams,” explains Melchior Wathelet, chairman of the circuit’s board of directors. “I know how much this news will upset our teams and I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the entire Circuit team on behalf of the entire Board. Today, we are losing a highly respected lady, a true leader who will be greatly missed. Nathalie had become the face of the circuit, she embodied the passion for racing that we all share.”

Ms Maillet was appointed CEO at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in June 2016, overseeing her first major international event – that year’s Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix – just two months later on 28 August. 

Prior to that, Ms Maillet studied architecture at the University of East London in England, a qualification that, in the years to follow, led to the foundation of her own practice – Churchill Hui Int’l – specializing in eco-architecture. A yearning for motorsport wasn’t far beneath the surface though. A go-karter at 12 years old, Ms Maillet later enrolled in a racing school before making her debut in the Volkswagen-spec Fun Cup in 2006. In her maiden campaign, she finished an impressive 2nd in the standings. 

In the years that followed, Ms Maillet also competed in the endurance-focused Belgian Touring Car Series in 2010 and 2011, as well as the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2013 and 2014. On top of her driving duties, she also co-organised the both NASCAR WES’ American Festival Finals and the International Circuit Competition Team before starting her tenure at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. 

Since her 2016, Ms Maillet has been a driving force behind modernizing the venue in its centenary year. Renovation to both the circuit and its infrastructure, a project expected to cost €80 million, was greenlit last October and began earlier this year in April. Her drive to see more international events beyond Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps also led to the Ardennes venue hosting FIA World Rallycross for the first time in 2019 and, most recently, the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2022, set to be the first 24-hour motorbike race at Spa-Francorchamps since 2003. 

Ms Maillet was also a valued proponent of three official 24H SERIES events hosted by the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps from 2017 to 2019. 

The CREVENTIC team sends its heartfelt condolences to Ms Maillet’s friends and family.