Catalonia, close to continuing F1 until 2031

As this newspaper has learned, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is very close to reaching an agreement to continue maintaining the Formula 1 Grand Prix even until 2031 and agreed to renew his current F1 contract for five years, which expires at the end of 2026.

Achieving a “long-term” agreement was pursued Government of the Generalitat Although the mighty Madrid project, which will enter the calendar in 2026, has shaken the possibility that F1 will remain beyond this date in its fixed headquarters in Spain since 1991, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. but the same They will come together on the calendar between 2026 and 2031.

He Government of the Generalitat was always “convinced” that it could achieve the renewal and was able to participate in the ‘save F1’ project by Barcelona City Council with the mayor’s promise Jaume Collboni to “do whatever it takes,” including increasing economic contributions that have been declining during Mayor Ada Colau’s tenure.

The institutional front and the promotional activities already cooking in Barcelona before the next one Spanish GP (June 21-23), such as a ‘Road Show’ with F1 in Eixample, are reliable examples of understanding the message of the expectation of the current F1 managers, to offer unforgettable experiences. It is not just a sporting event on a permanent circuit, a city as strong in terms of tourism as Barcelona should be involved in a ‘win-win’, mutually beneficial strategy.

The previous five-year renewal was already signed in November 2021 in exchange for the start of a complete intervention and modernization plan for the facility, the cost of which will increase to approximately 50 million euros. The most iconic work is the ‘Circuit Rooftop’the three-story VIP walkway located before turn 10 and will debut for the next Spanish GP, but modernization has already reached the layout, paddock building, control tower and pit-lane.

And the relationship with the CEO of Formula 1 is great, Stefano Domenicali, which has always publicly left the door open to two GGPPs on Spanish soil after 2026 signed by both Barcelona-Catalunya and Madrid. When the 10-year agreement (2026-2035) with IFEMA Madrid was made official on January 23, the Italian publicly warned that “Barcelona is Formula 1 and work is being done to look beyond.”

This coming Wednesday there will be an institutional event of Circuits de Catalunya and Fira de Barcelona at Espai Mirador del Circuit. The announcement comes as Fira plans to operate and manage the facilities, an agreement that is part of the Circuit’s strategic plan. It will be attended by the Minister of Business and Employment and President of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Roger Torrentthe Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, the President of the Board of Directors of Fira de Barcelona, Pau Relatthe general director, Constanti Serrallonga, among others. Contract renewal may be announced shortly.