Sainz - Spanish GP has to stay

Carlos Sainz believes the Spanish Grand Prix should stay on the race calendar amid rumours that the race is set to be replaced by a Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort in 2020.

The Spanish Grand Prix was first held in 1913 before the Spanish Civil War brought an end to racing until 1967 when it was brought back. Since then it has be held at five circuits including Jerez, Jarama and Pedralbes but is currently held at Circuit de Catalunya since 2007.

With a Dutch Grand Prix seemingly set in stone, the Spanish Grand Prix could be at risk. However, Carlos Sainz believes the heritage surrounding the race gives it it’s the spot in the calendar.

Speaking to  Estrella Galicia ahead of his home Grand Prix Sainz said: “I have no doubt that this Grand Prize is the most important of the year on a personal and non-personal level, I think it has enough history and enough cache to tell all institutions that this is a 'must' within the calendar.”

However, the Spaniard wasn’t completely confident it will return in 2020: “Everything that is political does not reassure me at all, I prefer not to comment.

“But then what F1, Liberty and Barcelona are capable of, I do not know what can happen,” he added.