IndyCar aiming to build European hub around Barcelona race

With a contract that runs through 2036, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Penske Entertainment have made a significant statement regarding their intent for the IndyCar Series to make Spain a staple on its annual schedule.

“The contract is 10 years, and I think that signifies that we all want to make this work,” said IndyCar CEO Mark Miles. “We want this to be a fixture on the IndyCar Series.”

Most lengthy contracts with new events tend to fall through for a variety of reasons, which Miles understands.

“There are provisions where, if it’s not exactly what everybody had in mind, it could be shorter,” he said. “But our focus is absolutely on making this the home base of IndyCar in Europe.”

The decade-long commitment comes as part of the circuit’s courting of IndyCar and its five-time champion Alex Palou, who is from Barcelona. Unlike some other recent new races where Penske Entertainment played a central part in creating the events, such as Arlington and Washington, D.C., Miles says the new Spain race is being handled and funded by the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalonia promoter.

“It’s more of the traditional promoter relationship, so it covers our costs,” he explained. “This is a beautiful place. I’ve been very impressed by the suites and the hospitality, even the GA (general admission areas), the lawns.

“I think we’re landing in the right place. I really am sure that all the ingredients to represent IndyCar well, to broaden our appeal, our fan base, have a great event for the drivers and the sponsors and the whole paddock, this is the place.”

Miles hopes Spain opens the door for other international events in the coming years.

“Got to make it a great event, and people will get it,” he said. “And then there’ll be some other opportunities. In my lifetime, I don’t think there'll be three, but I can see another one.”