F1 agrees new deal with Spanish Grand Prix until 2026

A new deal has been agreed between F1 and organisers to keep the race in Barcelona on the calendar for another five seasons.

The Spanish Grand Prix has been a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar since 1991, while the circuit has been a popular testing venue over the years for its mixture of high-speed, medium-speed and low-speed corners.

As part of the new deal, “improvements to the track and facilities will be made ahead of the race on 22nd May 2022, including upgrades and improvements towards the circuit’s ambitious sustainability plans”.

It’s good news for home heroes Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, who will be hopeful Alpine and Ferrari respectively give them the machinery required to win in front of their own fans.

Lewis Hamilton won the most recent Spanish GP in 2021, beating Max Verstappen in what was another exciting scrap for the lead.

Speaking of the announcement, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “We are delighted to announce this deal with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. I want to thank to promoter and the authorities for their enthusiasm and commitment to keeping Formula 1 in Barcelona, with improvements that will be made to the track and facilities, and continuing our long history together. 

“The teams and drivers always look forward to racing at the circuit and visiting Barcelona, and the Spanish fans will continue to see their national heroes, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz up close.”

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya president Roger Torrent added: "We welcome the renewal of this contract, which includes a mutual commitment clause to help us turn Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya into a model and world benchmark of sustainability applied to this type of facilities. 

“We want the circuit to become an exponent of the green transformation and the adaptation of infrastructures to the demands of the climate emergency.”