F1 News: As Madrid Takes the Spanish GP Crown, RACC President Reveals “Very Complex Issue” but Guarantees Barcelona’s F1 Contract Extension

With the news of Madrid getting its new race track, many Catalans started worrying about the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya losing the Spanish GP title. The Catalonian track that officially opened in September 1991 has served over 30 years of F1 racing. However, according to the RACC, a new track in Spain does not mean the end of another.

Josep Mateu, the president of the RACC (Royal Automobile Club of Catalonia) spoke during the RACC MotorSport 2023 Awards Gala about the affairs of F1 in Barcelona. And according to reports, it looks like there is nothing for the Catalan F1 fans to worry about.

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya contract will be renewed for at least 5 more years

The president of the RACC, Josep Mateu, has expressed confidence that the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will continue to be part of the Formula 1 calendar. He is convinced that the contract will be extended, and the intention is to renew the ‘alliance’ for at least another five years.

During the RACC Motorsport 2023 Awards Gala, Mateu stated as reported by Soy Motor, “Today, Madrid has presented its Grand Prix, which they will do starting in 2026. We are working to renew ours. For more than 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 term we have asked for.” 

He added, “It is a lifetime dedicated to Formula 1 and we will fight to maintain the race in the future. Our intention is to extend this contract for at least five years. We are convinced that we will renew this contract for the coming years.” The F1 enthusiasts in Barcelona breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this from Mateu.

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Mateu went on to explain how this is a complex issue that takes many large-scale economic decisions into play. He mentions that both the Generalitat (the government of Catalonia) and the RACC are making efforts to secure the renewal. The president of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, supports the renewal of the contract beyond 2026.

Highlighting the same, Mateu added, “It is a very complex issue. The world of sport moves in large-scale economic dimensions. The economic capacity of the promoters and organizers sets the guidelines. In that sense, efforts are being made by both the Generalitat and our part to renew, and we are convinced that it will be done,” This gives a strong ray of hope for F1 fans. Even Stefano Domenicali, the President and CEO of Formula 1, pointed out that just because Madrid has the Spanish GP crown does not mean there will be no more Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

What do we know about the 2026 Madrid track?

Formula 1 has announced a new long-term deal with IFEMA MADRID to bring the Spanish Grand Prix to Madrid from 2026 to 2035. The circuit will be built around the world-class IFEMA exhibition center and will include both street and non-street sections. The proposed circuit is 5.47km in length, subject to FIA homologation and final design specification.

The circuit will have 20 corners, and the projected qualifying lap time is expected to be 1 minute 32 seconds. Plans include a capacity to host over 110,000 fans per day across the grandstand, general admission, and VIP hospitality. There are intentions to increase the circuit’s capacity to 140,000 per day over the first half of the agreement.

The location of the circuit, just five minutes from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez airport, makes it one of the most accessible races on the F1 calendar. It is estimated that 90% of fans will be able to reach the paddock via public transport, enhancing accessibility.

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The new track in Madrid extends Spain’s love for Formula 1 and showcases the country’s passion for the sport. However, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has lost the title of the Spain GP. Despite this, it will continue to be a fundamental part of the F1 experience for at least five more years, even after its current contract concludes. That being said, what do you think of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya? Is it a track that you enjoy watching races on?