Following yesterday’s significant announcement regarding Madrid’s return to Formula 1, Barcelona is not willing to stand idly by and is already preparing a countermove to avoid disappearing from the calendar. The Montmelo circuit, which has been hosting the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991, is set to expire in 2026, and the head-to-head competition with the Spanish capital risks overshadowing what has become a historic Grand Prix in the eyes of fans and industry professionals.
However, Stefano Domenicali, who participated in the presentation of the Madrid GP yesterday, has not ruled out the possibility of both events happening simultaneously. Josep Mateu, president of the Real Automóvil Club de Catalunya, reiterated the RACC’s intention to extend the contract to host the Barcelona GP for at least another five years, lasting until at least 2031.
Barcelona Aims for Multi-Year Renewal
“Today, Madrid presented its Grand Prix, which will take place from 2026. We are working to renew ours. For over a year, we have had meetings, and we think that in the coming months, we will have the opportunity to renew our contract for the period we have requested.”
“It is a life dedicated to Formula 1, and we will fight to maintain the race in the future as well. Our intention is to extend the contract for at least five years. We are confident that we will renew this contract for the coming years.”
However, securing the renewal will be far from simple: “It is a very complex matter. The world of sports operates on a large scale economically.”
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“The economic capacity of promoters and organizers sets the guidelines. In this sense, both the Generalitat (the name for the administrative-institutional system for the Catalan government) and our side are committed to renewing. We are confident it will be done.”
On this note, Jaume Collboni, mayor of the city of Barcelona, expressed to the Generalitat the intention to increase the current financial support for the event, which has gradually diminished over the years under the management of Ada Colau.
“The City of Barcelona maintains its commitment to the Circuit de Catalunya and has clearly expressed its political, institutional, and economic support during the negotiations conducted by the Generalitat, even expressing the desire to increase the current financial contribution to ensure the competitiveness of the Montmelo facilities.” – he pointed out. – “The involvement of Barcelona has allowed bringing the competition closer to citizens with events and spaces open to all, to bring Formula 1 to the general public.”
In 2016, the city funded the Grand Prix with €2 million, and in 2017 with €3 million. In 2018, €2.5 million was allocated, and in 2019, “only” €1.5 million, exposing the promoter in recent years, especially after the pandemic, to numerous criticisms for the poor conditions of the circuit.
Source: f1ingenerale
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