Jun.15 (GMM) Barcelona is refusing to abandon hopes of returning to the Formula 1 calendar every year despite agreeing to alternate with Spa-Francorchamps from 2028.
The comments come just days after Royal Spanish Automobile Federation president Manuel Avino suggested Barcelona could even return as early as 2027 if continuing instability in the Middle East forces Formula 1 to revise its plans.
Now, Catalan president Salvador Illa has made clear that authorities are still pushing for a bigger future in Formula 1.
“We are not ruling anything out,” he said at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Sunday. “With the prestige of Barcelona and Catalonia, as has been seen this week, we can aspire to whatever we want.”
Barcelona recently secured a new agreement covering 2028, 2030 and 2032, sharing its place on the calendar with Spa.
However, Illa is not treating the alternating arrangement as the final outcome.
“Only two countries host more than one F1 Grand Prix – the United States and Spain. That also demonstrates the confidence in Catalonia.”
However, speaking to AS newspaper in Barcelona, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said local authorities had previously assumed the race would remain regardless of investment levels.
“I can say this because I was direct with my friends in Barcelona,” he said.
“When a major promoter needs government support to invest, there was a time when Barcelona, frankly, thought they had this race guaranteed regardless of the investment they made and the things that needed improving.”
Domenicali said attitudes have since changed dramatically.
“Now, the people involved at the government level and on the promoter’s team have done an incredible job and have won back the race.
“There are some very important people involved, and I thank the President of Catalonia for his commitment,” he added.
“They were serious about reaching this agreement, working very hard to ensure the future of a circuit that deserved to be part of F1.”
Illa also revealed he had held fresh talks with Domenicali during the Spanish GP weekend.
“I just met with Domenicali and we had a very productive conversation,” said the Catalan leader.
“He seemed very happy and satisfied with how things are going here.
“I look ahead and I’m sure we’ll have Formula 1 in Barcelona for many years to come.”