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Barcelona to host Spanish GP until 2026
The Spanish Grand Prix will remain on the Formula 1 calendar until 2026, with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya having signed a contract renewal.
Barcelona had signed short-term deals keeping it on the schedule in recent seasons, but has now agreed a renewal that runs through to 2026. At the same time, the circuit has extended its MotoGP deal for the same duration, allowing it to start work on facilities upgrades that will be completed ahead of the 2022 edition of the Spanish Grand Prix next May.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says it’s encouraging to see the ongoing interest in hosting a race in Spain, in a year when Carlos Sainz joined Ferrari and Fernando Alonso returned to F1 with Alpine.
“We are delighted to announce this deal with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya,” Domenicali said. “I want to thank the promoter and the authorities for their enthusiasm and commitment to keeping Formula 1 in Barcelona, with improvements that will be made to the track and facilities, and continuing our long history together.
“The teams and drivers always look forward to racing at the circuit and visiting Barcelona, and the Spanish fans will continue to see their national heroes, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, up close.”
As well as the paddock renovations and extension of the run-off at Turn 4, the circuit has ambitious sustainability plans that it says it will push ahead with in partnership with F1.
“We welcome the renewal of this contract, which includes a mutual commitment clause to help us turn Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya into a model and world benchmark of sustainability applied to this type of facilities,” circuit president Roger Torrent said. “We want the circuit to become an exponent of the green transformation and the adaptation of infrastructures to the demands of the climate emergency.”
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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