IndyCar confirms date for its European trip next year

As GPblog confirmed earlier this week, IndyCar is set to hold its first-ever race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Outside North America, the series has previously raced only in Brazil, Australia and Japan.

The race will take place on July 18, 2027. It will not clash with any Formula 1 race, as it falls between the Austrian and Belgian Grands Prix. In 2027, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will not host a Formula 1 race, as it begins alternating with Spa-Francorchamps.

The defending champion of the North American series, Alex Palou, is from Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, a village near Barcelona. He said: "I’m so excited to be part of INDYCAR’s first race in Barcelona. It is an amazing opportunity, and it means so much to me to have a race at home in Barcelona, it’s hard to put into words. I know the fans are going to love it, and I think we are going to put on a great show. We’re going to try hard with the team at Chip Ganassi Racing to bring home the trophy in July."

Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said: "This is a monumental day for our sport. We are pleased to be able to take our ultra-competitive brand of wheel-to-wheel racing to Europe and thrilled that we can showcase INDYCAR in Alex Palou’s hometown. We have seen Alex’s remarkable skill and talent for several years and know his fans in Spain have been clamoring to watch him race in person.