Barcelona hopeful of extending Spanish GP deal with F1

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Circuit de Catalunya boss Joan Fontsere says he will sit down with F1's managers next week in a bid to secure Barcelona's future as the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix.

According to Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey, the groundwork has been laid for a new deal with Barcelona from 2019, but talks will enter the thick of things after this Sunday's race.

"At the moment we are focused on everything going well this weekend," Fontsere told Spain's El Pais.

"We have the Grand Prix guaranteed until 2019, and once this race is over, we will continue talking with Liberty."

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Fontsere insisted however that the context surrounding the discussions is very different to the atmosphere which prevailed for the venue when the last contract was agreed.

"Fernando Alonso had just won his titles, we were competing with Valencia and we also had pressure from a project in Madrid," said Fontsere.

The troubling political uncertainty facing Catalonia led many to believe the future of the event could be in doubt. But Carey has played down any impact the political situation in Catalonia could have on the talks.

"We are aware of what is happening," he said. "But things are complicated in every part of the world. There are 21 countries and 21 problems.

"Barcelona is a very valuable partnership for us."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.