Lewis Hamilton says he is keen to see the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya remain on the Formula 1 calendar amid rumours that a Madrid street track could join the schedule.
Since 1991, F1 has ventured to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix, while the track has also been extensively used in testing.
However, it has been suggested that it could be replaced by a new event in Madrid, potentially as early as 2025.
Hamilton, who is a six-time grand prix winner around the Barcelona track, admits that he wouldn’t like to see it disappear from the schedule due to its long history with F1.
“As long as it’s not like Valencia was, which wasn’t the most enjoyable track to drive,” Hamilton said, when asked if he would enjoy a switch to a Madrid street venue.
“I don’t think I’d want to lose Barcelona. One, I love the city. But the track, I do think it’s important that we keep some of the classic circuits. At least the ones that provide great racing.
“Budapest is spectacular, the Silverstone grand prix is spectacular. This track, there’s a lot of really great and original circuits that we should keep, maybe some that don’t provide the greatest of racing maybe switch those out.
“I just think about this sport, the heritage of the sport and we’ve got to make sure we hold onto those, they are the pillars of what the sport is, in my opinion.”
For the 2023 grand prix in Barcelona, F1 removed the chicane in the final sector and reverted to the layout that was used before 2007.
The decision was hailed by Hamilton, who admitted after Friday practice that Mercedes has work to do to improve its form for the remainder of the weekend.
“It’s awesome! It’s very fast,” Hamilton said. “I definitely prefer it to the small chicane that we had in the past. It’s much more fun.
“I’ve not followed anyone through there so I don’t know how that’s going to be in the race, but definitely going to make it tough on deg.”
