The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, home of the Spanish Grand Prix, has confirmed a deal has been signed to host Formula 1 again in 2021, and is working on a new long-term arrangement with championship officials.
The venue’s previous long-term deal expired after 2019 but it was given a one-year reprieve for 2020 and hosted its coronavirus-delayed round in August.
The Spanish Grand Prix was listed on Formula 1’s provisional 2021 calendar, which was ratified by the FIA, but it remained subject to a new deal being agreed.
The Catalan government gave the green light last month for the circuit to conclude negotiations with Formula 1 and on Monday the 2021 event was signed-off, with the race weekend scheduled to take place from May 7th to May 9th.
Fresh negotiations are set to start this year between officials and F1 over a long-term agreement to remain part of the sport’s racing schedule.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya President Ramon Tremosa said: “The F1 Grand Prix in Catalonia is a great world-level event that generates a multiplying effect in terms of GDP growth and the creation of jobs and wealth that is 10 times higher than the contribution made by the Catalan Government”.
“We will continue working at the government in order to turn the racetrack in Montmelo into a permanent venue for competition, because Formula 1 is not an expense, but an investment.”
Barcelona has been the traditional home of winter testing in recent years but pre-season running for 2021 is set to move to Bahrain as Australia and China appear likely to postpone their race events amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
A slight alteration will been carried out to the track for this year’s event with the Turn 10 hairpin to be re-configured into a tighter corner.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix every year since 1991 with World Champion Lewis Hamilton victorious at the last four events.
