Despite the new race in Madrid, Barcelona remains confident that it will remain part of the Formula 1 calendar in the long term
Barcelona has not given up on remaining on the Formula 1 calendar, even though the track will face competition from Madrid in its own country from 2026. However, the signs are not good for the traditional track, as the contract expires next year and other tracks and countries are pushing to get on the calendar.
It is considered unlikely that Spain will retain two Formula 1 races on the calendar in the long term, so Barcelona is expected to disappear from the calendar after 2026, similar to Imola. However, Formula 1’s rotation system for certain European races, which already includes Belgium, could open up another opportunity for Barcelona in the future.
A delegation from Catalonia was at the race in Imola in early May to hold talks with Formula 1 rights holder FOM. Speaking to the global edition of Motorsport.com, those involved are confident that Madrid does not necessarily mean the end of the road.
Madrid is “no problem at all for us,” claims Ignasi Armengol, managing director of Fira Circuit, which will operate the track starting this year. “On the contrary, they were here to look at our facilities. We have a very cordial relationship, as we do with the other tracks. In that respect, we don’t see it as a problem. There are other race tracks at a similar distance.”
However, there is a prevailing opinion that Barcelona paved the way for the Madrid project by being too hesitant to resolve long-standing problems relating to logistics and infrastructure.
Although the event has undoubtedly improved, it may already be too late – the long-promised train station directly at the entrance to the track still exists only on paper.
Barcelona is in no hurry
“The truth is that the relationship with the FOM is very good,” Armengol emphasizes. “We know each other very well, so the dialogue is open and very constructive. Year after year, we implement, adapt, and optimize what the FOM asks of us and what we can solve—such as the allocation of space in the paddock, parking spaces, or access.”
“There is no rush to sign a new contract. As we have seen with other tracks, this often only happens three or four months before the last race of the contract. So we still have a whole year ahead of us. We are confident that a good solution will be found.”
The negotiations are taking place at government level, which is also responsible for financing. Although he is not directly involved himself, Armengol says the goal remains to hold one race a year in the future. “For us, it has always been a continuous event – and that is also our hope,” he says. “I think we will continue to work with this idea in these negotiations.”
Regarding the name for the 2026 race, Armengol said a decision would be made “shortly.” Since the race is supported by the regional government, it is not out of the question that it could be called the Grand Prix of Catalonia—like the MotoGP race on the circuit.
