F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Barcelona 'in the process' of renewing Spanish GP deal

Barcelona is confident the Spanish Grand Prix will retain its slot on F1's calendar in 2020, with circuit boss Vicens Aguilera setting a summer deadline to conclude a deal with Liberty Media.

Earlier this week, F1 CEO Chase Carey said that two new races would appear on the docket next season and replace two current venues, one of which is expected to be Barcelona which could lose its slot in favour of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, although the latter has yet to be officially confirmed by Liberty.

However, Aguilera insists he is hopeful the Circuit de Catalunya's ongoing talks with F1's commercial rights holder will lead to an extension of its contract.

"We are in the process of renewing our contract and we still have time to discuss it," the Barcelona boss told Motorsport.com.

"It was a coincidence that the grand prix has taken place while we are in this process, so after the weekend we will continue our talks about the future of the race. It's not easy to put everything together but we are in the process.

"We have to use the time we have. We don't have a deadline, but I know that we cannot arrive to the summer without a solution.

"If we have to use 'extra time' we will do it if we get the deal. The goal is to have a reasonable agreement for both parties. If we are smart enough we will find a solution."

Zandvoort's likely nomination as the first European event of the 2020 season would imply a date change for Barcelona should it remain on the F1 calendar.

"First we have to finish the deal for the agreement, which is the most important thing," added Aguilera. "Then we have to discuss the date.

"This is a second level discussion: first and most important is to arrange the deal.

"I wish I can have this date discussion after signing the new agreement. If we have to move the date, then let's see what happens.

"We have one tradition with the date in May but it's not a concern to us."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Antonelli: ‘Still a long way to reach Verstappen and Norris’ level’

Kimi Antonelli is sitting comfortably at the top of Formula 1’s 2026 Drivers’ Championship standings,…

14 hours ago

Szafnauer: Root cause of Aston Martin ‘mess’ planted five years ago

Former Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer has delivered a stinging verdict on Team Silverstone's…

15 hours ago

Hadjar details how he unlocked his consistency at Red Bull

Isack Hadjar believes one of his biggest challenges during his first season with Red Bull…

17 hours ago

Four classic German GP winners at the Nürburgring on this day

Down the years, August 4th has seen several German Grand Prix races held at the…

18 hours ago

Gasly: Alpine’s Dutch GP upgrade ‘critical’ for F1 midfield fight

Pierre Gasly believes Alpine’s upcoming Dutch Grand Prix upgrade package will be “critical” to the…

19 hours ago

Piastri reveals hidden gains behind mixed first half of 2026

Oscar Piastri may not have the results to show for his efforts in 2026, but…

20 hours ago