F1 committed 'long term' to Barcelona and Montreal

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
© XPB 

Formula 1 boss Chase Carey says that he's committed to the sport remaining at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the long term.

And there have been assurances from organisers that the future of the Canadian Grand Prix is not at risk from plans to add a Miami race in 2019.

Barcelona's contract to host the Spanish Grand Prix comes to an end next year. However Carey says that he expects to agree a new deal with the venue in the coming months.

"Our goal is to reach a new agreement with Barcelona," Carey told Spanish reporters. "We want to be in Barcelona in the long term.

"Forever? You could almost say that," he added.

But that doesn't mean it's a foregone conclusion, or that there won't be some hard bargaining before a new deal is agreed.

"It's not the only circuit in Spain," he cautioned. "Very soon we will begin to see if we can find a path that benefits us both."

Meanwhile, yesterday's news that F1's new American owners are close to finalising a deal with Miami has left some traditional venues anxious about where it leaves them.

Miami's City Commission will vote next week on a multi-year agreement to bring the sport to Florida in 2019.

Carey is also believed to be keen in other destination cities such as Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles in addition to the current US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

That's left organisers of the Canadian Grand Prix north of the border worried about the competition. The more races in North America, the thinner the attendance figures might be spread.

But Montreal organiser Dumontier told La Presse that "The Miami Grand Prix will have no impact on us.

"F1 is in charge of the logistics aspect, and we just signed a ten year contract that will take us to 2029," he added.

Dumontier was also insistent that it was unlikely that Montreal's mid-June spot on the calendar would be changed.

"[Rescheduling] has never been part of the discussions I've had," he said. "I don't see this issue coming up".

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