Barcelona not worried about place on F1 calendar: 'Talking about extension'

Is the Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya under pressure now that Formula 1 will (also) call at Madrid in 2026? As far as the Barcelona organisers are concerned, no. In fact, the circuit is confident that they will renew their contract with the top class of motorsport.

Roger Torrent, Minister of Economy and Employment in the government of Catalonia and president of the Circuit de Barcelona, reacted at RAC1 to the news that Madrid has been given a place on the Formula 1 calendar.

Trust

"We have a contract until 2026, included, and we are working, as Stefano Domenicali himself said, to extend this contract that will allow us to enjoy Formula 1 in Catalonia for many more years. We are in talks. We have been talking for a long time, but we are following our own pace. The relationship between Formula 1 and Catalonia is defined only by Formula 1 and Catalonia, there is no element that makes us accelerate or that puts more pressure on us. It is a positive, excellent relationship that has lasted for years," Torrent said.

Domenicali already let slip that it is not out of the question for Barcelona and Madrid to both host a Grand Prix in the future. So Torrent is not really worried about the future. "We have with a new impetus for the circuit and the will to modernise the facilities that we are fully committed to it and want to make it a great event. We will host a Grand Prix in 2024 and the relationship is good, I would even say excellent."