Inaugurated in 1991, the then Circuit de Catalunya was created as one of the most impressive and modern sports facilities of its time in the world of motorsport. But the years have passed, and above all, the ways in which the product of the races is consumed have completely changed from those happy ’90s to today, where only VIP tickets, paddock terraces, and drinking champagne while cars race on the track are the norm.
Following Formula 1’s requests in the last renewal of the contract ensuring a Grand Prix in Montmeló until 2026, the circuit authorities had to undertake a avalanche of work, started two years ago, and which have now intensified. Not only because of the aforementioned commitments, but also due to the pressure of the enormous competition to have a Grand Prix in Madrid signed for ten years, starting precisely from 2026.
“I don’t see why two Formula 1 Grands Prix cannot coexist in Spain in the future, there are three in the United States and two in Italy, and there can be two here as well,” said the Circuit director, Josep Lluis Santamaria, on Thursday, in a meeting with the media.
“We are sportsmen, and obviously, we like competition, so it cannot be hidden that when you compete, you have incentives. But we have always said that the works we are completing started long before, more than two years ago, and they were the result of agreements made with F1.” Agreements that envisaged the modernization of the facility and the expansion of the hospitality areas, which, once the works for that year’s Grand Prix are completed, will reach eight different spaces, for a total of 8,000 square meters and a capacity of up to 8,000 people.
According to the racetrack management, “this investment plan of 50 million euros until 2026 aims to modernize and adapt the Circuit to new needs, promoting a more sustainable, innovative, industrial, and digital model with the aim of transforming the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya into a key infrastructure for the country’s industry, not only regarding motorsport hospitality but also for events of all kinds.”
The works to be carried out include the completion of the new pitlane building with a first floor and a covered terrace. A new VIP grandstand with about 1,000 seats, half of which will be sold to the public. The complete renovation of the Control Tower, with new spaces and terraces, as well as a panoramic elevator.
The relocation of the circuit’s restaurant from the tower, where it has been since day one, to the paddock, with a huge flat building much more accessible to everyone. Also, the complete refurbishment of the penthouse of the box building, covering what were terraces and expanding other areas to accommodate thousands of square meters of hospitality for the public and guests.
But the most emblematic work of the Circuit de Barcelona will undoubtedly be the new Rooftop, a building built on an imposing 30-meter-high metal structure that crosses the circuit in the air at the height of turn 10 and will have two floors and will connect the Stadium area with the paddock.
All this renovation work will be operational for the MotoGP Grand Prix of Catalonia, which will take place on the weekend of May 26, with the exception of the Rooftop, which will be completed but not operational, and its inauguration will take place the day before the start of the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix weekend, on the weekend of June 23.
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