The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, “optimistic” regarding the renewal but depends on F1

The contract renewal of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with F1 remains a mystery. The Catalan track celebrated its 34th consecutive F1 Spanish GP this weekend and still has two races guaranteed in its current contract, up to and including 2026, the year in which it will coincide on the calendar with the new Spanish GP in urban circuit. from Madrid. What happens after 2027? The definitive answer is in F1 and the ball is in its court. This was indicated by the president of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Councilor Roger Torrentwho will soon leave his witness to another president when the formation of the new Government is closed (pending if the elections are repeated).

Councilor Torrent wanted to repeat his “optimism” to achieve a renewal in F1 in the long term, although could not give more or provide details and clear and definitive evidence that F1 is in the process of signing this continuation.

With two years to go before this contract expires, the timing for negotiations would be perfect if not for the surprise. coming from Madrid, which became official at the end of the year with Stefano Domenicali, CEO of F1, its arrival on the Grand Circus calendar for 10 seasons, from 2026 to 2035. ANDn a 24 race calendarwith more and more cities interested in hosting the F1 GP around the world due to the massive growth the sport has experienced in recent years due to the ‘Netflix phenomenon’, and the growing interest of large markets such as the increase in career. in the United States or in Saudi Arabia, MD was direct in his question: “Conseller, there is no space. Do you consider alternating your presence at other tracks, every year and another, as Zandvoort seems to be able to and Spa?” .

His response was as follows: “We focus on doing it well because it’s what makes us competitive, whatever happens in the World Championship and what new Grand Prix can be entered and what GP will not be held. That corresponds to F1. We are committed to making Barcelona’s value proposition unparalleled and we are convinced that we have the best stable circuit in the world. sure, and now more and with more evidence. And that, combined with the things that work in our house, is what sets us apart,” commented Torrent.

“From here, it is up to F1 to determine what the calendar should be, but to be on the calendar from 2026 (from 2027) what is important is that we make this leap that we have made, and from here ” It is a decision that F1 should do and that’s not what we should do.”he added.

He made a clear reference to the need to respond to all requests and concerns of F1. The ‘Great Circus’ wants an updated circuit to improve the fan experience, especially the VIPsand the circuit accomplished the creation of its new ‘rooftop’ and a large room for him Paddock Club in the pit building, with a greater variety of offerings for this type of public. They also improved access and combated the heat problem with more shade and water spots and more covered stands. Furthermore, F1 asked the city to participate, something that has not happened in recent years, and this was more than fulfilled with a wonderful organization of the ‘Road Show’ with several F1s filming in Passeig de Gracia on Wednesday and the installation of the ‘Fan Village’ in Plaça Catalunya.

In the hands of Madrid?

However, the question everyone in the paddock is asking is this: Did Barcelona arrive late?

In the F1 paddock there are many who think that the giant step taken by Barcelona and the commitment of the city to participate in the GP is too late and there is no room for two Grand Prix in Spain as its market is already covered by one event. .in Madrid. Perhaps the extension of a contract depends more on the evolution of the GP that they want to organize in Madrid, an event with ideas that perfectly match what F1 wants. However, in Madrid a great presentation and only words have been seen so far. Facts are missing. They are looking for a promoter and less than a meter of concrete has been raised to start construction. And time is running out.

A big bet now rests on F1

Regardless of all this, Roger Torrent believes that Barcelona’s greatest strength is the demonstration it has made this year and is “optimistic” about the commitment and step forward made by the Circuit in its Grand Prix offer. The remaining variables, such as what F1 wants to do with its calendar, cannot be controlled. And therein lies the doubt. Did the Circuit and Generalitat choose to update the route and its GP proposal without the certainty of renewal? They have given everything and done everything well for it, but no one will know what F1 wants to do.

“This is not a coin toss. There is a very good job, very structured, with a Strategic Plan that sets this horizon. We are meeting all the deadlines set in this plan which F1 is fully aware of, where F1 is satisfied and where it is highly appreciated. But it’s not up to us to give our opinion on the entire World Cup calendar, it’s up to us to make our proposal unparalleled,” he argued when asked by MD.

GP toggle?

“GP alternative? We will not consider any option and we will not speculate on different scenarios because it is not a job or assumption that the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has, but it is something that corresponds to F1. It is up to us to focus on doing it well and do it in a way that all F1, the teams and the professionals who participate in a GP like this will appreciate positively.

“There are still two editions left and we have enough time to continue negotiating and working. “We are convinced that if we do things well we will be unrivaled and that from a social point of view the GP will be a victory because it brings us closer to a long-term renewal,” he added.

“I am naturally positive and I believe that this time and this time I am right. I am convinced of our proposal and the input I receive is positive in all senses: logistics, mobility, circulation, which worked perfectly during a difficult weekend of operations leaving San Joan… everything happened as expected us and keeps us optimistic.”

Waiting for relief

“We are ending a phase conditioned by the political conditions and governance of the country. “Let’s leave it ready”argued about what the new president of the Circuit will face when he takes his witness shortly to face the decisive phase of the negotiations.

“We have taken that step, we have launched a new Circuit. This is what we promised in 2021 and I believe that the facts prove us right and prove that we have gone further than what we proposed in 2021. We are very ambitious. Liberty put a very clear challenge on the table, we accepted it, we wanted to play and I think we played our cards very well. AND It is ready so that this new phase in the direction of the Circuit that will begin soon, whoever is in charge, has all the tools and elements to continue this positive inertia of the past years. I am optimistic and I would like to think that this will continue because we have jumped and have a chance to continue in the next years with a ‘race’ of success,” he said about it.

The negotiations

“There are always two parties that have to agree on many aspects. And we want to do it well. And therefore, we want to study the whole future together and that is what we are doing. There is a question of sensations, and the sensations are extraordinary, they could not be better ANDThis relationship with F1 and with Stefano Domenicali is incredible, it is from 2021 when we get here. This year I think this process culminates and he has seen it, he has perceived it., F1 management is well aware of this and it is also very important to see the involvement of infrastructure management, to update it, and we have done that. That the environment and specifically the city of Barcelona is also very involved and it also happened this year, and the rest is obviously all the technical issues that we will work on in the coming months,” he commented on the negotiations.

“The talks have been going on for a long time, they are evolutionary, we are building this relationship that we hope will last for many years, but We insist that until it is closed, if it can be closed, which is what we expect, we want long-term continuity, because we cannot say exactly what the details are. and what our relationship with F1 will be in the next few years,” he commented when asked to be more specific.

“But the message is again optimism, we are very happy with how it is going and very happy with the trust we have established in F1 and certainly will be, or we hope, for many years,” he noted.

There is no deadline

When asked if there is a deadline or specific date for the announcement of a possible renewal, Roger Torrent did not want to give further details. “We cannot give a date because if we give it we generate expectations. We are working and it is something evolutionary, there is no specific deadline. It’s about creating the necessary conditions and that will happen when it happens.”