This weekend, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host the 34th consecutive edition of the Spanish F1 GP at this track (unbroken since 1991) and the Catalan track anyway He has two more years on his contract, until 2026 inclusive., thus guaranteeing him two more races, making it 36 consecutive races. Montmeló has become, with more than three decades of experience, a historic, traditional and legendary route where iconic drivers have passed.
However, in current F1 that doesn’t guarantee you anything for the future. A series of requirements must be met for what F1 is looking for. And for that reason, the Circuit worked last year to achieve something that seemed complicated but not impossible: the renewal of his F1 contract from 2027.
Barcelona and Madrid, two opposite routes
That’s the truth Madrid has officially announced, along with F1, its arrival at the ‘Great Circus’ starting in 2026 with a contract of at least 10 years, this means that the Spanish capital and the Catalan capital will be on the same F1 course, with two races in Spain in 2026. Madrid is the clear example of the type of event that current F1 wants: un urban circuit with IFEMA facilities with multiple pavilions ideal for VIP packages which F1 prioritizes now.
Furthermore, F1 wants cities to experience the Grand Prix and experience it in a perfect communion that allows the public to live a unique experience, in addition to being able to get there by metro, in a sustainable way, a priority for an F1 that is very concerned about reducing your carbon footprint. And in that sense, its location is good for access from the city and the commitment of the entities is complete. They want to create a show on the level of Miami or Las Vegas and even the fashion event in Europe, more than charming Monaco. That’s the idea. Now they must make it happen and to do so they must not rest on their laurels and start working.
On the other hand is Barcelona. A traditional circuit that, due to the arrival of Madrid and the current ideas of F1, needs to be updated through its Pla Estrètègic and an investment of around 50 million euros.
There were many years of political comings and goings in the previous council, where this event was in doubt for years. In Madrid they realized this and took advantage of it. And after those doubts continued from the local level, with important moments that F1 still remains in its memory, Barcelona had to show that things have changed and the total commitment shown by the current authorities can also be seen in the actions.
For this reason, they adapted the Circuit to everything F1 wanted. They needed more space for VIPS and the Circuit has done it: a new building has been built ‘Rooftop’ with unparalleled views from the top of the track, on the back straight at turns 9 and 10. Today, that giant building will provide the Circuit with resources, but in the face of a future renovation, many believe that F1 will request that structure for VIPs and also the ‘box’ made with it. A mega room of 4,000 square meters was also created for Paddock Club in the main pit building. before boxes updated to improve the team experience. And the new communion in between City of Barcelona and the Circuit through a Out on the road memorable for Passeig de Gracia.
The problem of changing timing
The commitment of Barcelona, the Generalitat and the Circuit is what F1 needs and meets all the requirements. But now, with a 24-race F1 calendar not expected to expand anytime soon, the question is: Is Barcelona too late to achieve renewal? With years left on his contract (two), it shouldn’t be too late. But the arrival of Madrid changes everything. The doubt becomes another: Can there be two GPs in the same country like Spain after 2026?
Madrid have secured the spot and now Barcelona are at a disadvantage as they have won the Spanish GP. If you asked that question in Stefano Domenicali, CEO of F1, a few years ago, the answer was close to no. Now, leave more room and in ‘Ace’ said a “I do not reign”. And Circuit de Catalunya leaders insist on their “optimism” and their good relationship with F1.
But when talking to the international press, staff from many teams and people directly related to this ‘world’, they all agree on their concern. They do not see it clearly and tend to think that Barcelona will not continue or, more importantly, will enter a circuit rotation plan to host a GP every two or three years.
In these conversations, the examples of Spa, another mythical route, and Zandvoort, tracks attended by thousands and thousands of fans of champion Verstappen. Even that ‘boom’ for Max did not survive the circuit of the Netherlands and the iconic Belgian and It is said that Spa and Zandvoort can take turns, one year one and another year, the other. Besides, Rumors speak of a future with another possible career in Saudi Arabia, perhaps a few more in the United States or elsewhere. And that’s it, The American market can still be exploited more, as in other parts of the world. But… does the Spanish market have more to offer?
In that sense, the numbers don’t lie. The public response was overwhelming when the Spanish drivers had a chance to win. The Spanish mass public is more about the drivers than the sport itself. Although in that sense, the Circuit is in favor of a large number of European fans, especially the French, who attract it.
With a calendar of 24 races, it may be necessary to make room for new ones due to the growing interest in F1 in the world. And there… how many Europeans can there be? This may be one of the keys.
In Italy there is the same problem, but a different situation
What stands out is the different approach in Catalonia to the Circuit directors regarding the possibility of having two Grand Prix in Spain compared to another country with a huge automotive tradition like Italy, which has the most legendary constructor of F1 , Ferrari, such a great banner . Currently they have two Grand Prix: Monza (Italian GP) and Imola (Emilia-Romagna GP). But it looks like there’s only one left and that’s Monza.
“The situation is complicated, we must fight,” said the president of the Automobile Club Italia (ACI), Angelo Sticchi Damiani, weeks ago, about the future of Imola. Why does the Circuit believe that the fact that there is another GP in Spain is not a problem? MD asked Oriol Sagrera, CEO of Circuit, a few days ago, and his answer had a lot to do with the work done.
Imola, unlike the Circuit, has old facilities, with little space for VIPs and bigger logistical problems. Without walking any further, the press area at Imola is in some prefabricated barracks 10 minutes’ walk from the paddock. “We all know what Liberty Media is asking and what F1 is asking to get an F1 GP. So it does not have so much to do with the fact that two GPs are in the same country but rather what the proposal from the promoter is,” he said.
“We know the challenge, we have accepted it and we have equipped ourselves with the tools to offer the best proposition and the best F1 experience at World level,” he added. Barcelona have taken action. He put all the meat on the grill. Madrid’s new look late or enough to keep F1 alive? That question can only be answered by F1 and perhaps the Circuit directors.
We insist before the Councilman Roger Torrent at the inauguration of the aforementioned ‘Rooftop’. He did not want to make further statements because he said he could not give more information than what had already been given, “optimism” mentioned above and highlights the “good relationship that exists between Circuit and Liberty Media.” So there is nothing more to say other than the feeling in the paddock that the Circuit is very difficult.
The Catalan remains “hopeful” that the enormous work that Madrid must do to prepare for its Grand Prix can be delayed, because in the capital they must translate the great ideas that F1 loves so much into actions. They must put stone on stone. That might give some extension to the Catalan track, but nothing certain in the long run.
A circuit that all teams want to go to
In its favor, Barcelona has the largest rating of all teams. Everyone wants to race at the Circuit because of the experience it offers, its proximity to Barcelona, and above all, because its circuit makes the work of engineers easier to draw conclusions of all kinds . It has fast corners, a long straight and slow, moderately loaded corners. This is perfect for taking tests of various types in the Free Practice sessions and saving time making important conclusions for the rest of the course.
The best example, one of this journalist in the press room. Next to him, a well-known Italian journalist came to his seat after free practice 2 and exclaimed: “This is the best circuit in the entire world championship to make technical conclusions.” Everyone is happy in Barcelona. But maybe it doesn’t matter much. It depends on many other things.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
