Domenicali: Madrid deal does not exclude Barcelona from F1 future

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali says Madrid’s nomination as the official venue for the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026 does not preclude Barcelona from hosting a round of the F1 World Championship in the future.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been the historic home of Spain’s premier motorsport event since 1991. However, the announcement on Tuesday of Madrid’s arrival on the sport’s calendar from 2026 and for a ten-year period inevitable raises questions about Barcelona's future status in Formula 1.

Domenicali has reassured fans that the Circuit de Catalunya still holds a special place in Formula 1's heart, and the possibility of hosting a second Grand Prix in Spain remains on the table.

The country has a rich motorsports history, having hosted two Formula 1 events in the past – the European Grand Prix at Jerez in 1994 and 1997, and the Valencia Grand Prix between 2008 and 2012.

However, Domenicali acknowledged that the challenge lies in securing a slot on Grand Prix racing’s increasingly crowded agenda, as many tracks have signed long-term deals.

• Read also: Madrid handed long-term Spanish GP deal from 2026!

Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that Barcelona could still remain on the docket after next year’s event.

"For the avoidance of doubt and to clarify here, the fact we are in Madrid is not excluding the fact we could stay in Barcelona for the future," Domenicali told the F1 website.

"Looking ahead, there are discussions in place to see if we can really extend our collaboration with Barcelona, with whom we have a very good relationship, for the future."

Domenicali acknowledged Spain’s increasing interest in F1 in the past few years, boosted in part by the presence on the grid of two high-profile F1 drivers: Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.

"Spain was a market that just a couple of years ago, was not in the centre of our eyes," said the Italian.

"Now it is very important. We signed a new deal with Spanish broadcaster DAZN until at least the end of 2026. It's a nice problem to have, to have multiple cities – some in the same country – wanting to host a grand prix.

"It shows the value of our proposition. But we need to keep focused on the reason for our success, and make sure we aren't complacent."

Domenicali emphasized that the effort to include a race in Madrid highlighted once again the enduring robust state of Formula 1.

Furthermore, the inclusion of a prominent European city such as Madrid marks a change from the prevailing trend of expanding the sport primarily in the USA and the Middle East.

"It's great news for F1 as it shows once again that there is strong appetite around the world for our sport," he said.

"It shows that at a moment where Europe is perceived to be a place that is not ready to invest in our sport, Madrid and others are showing it is.

"They have presented a fascinating project, one that will be built in the next couple of years and a project that is considering the fans and their whole experience, from their travel to the whole event experience.

"The proposition we received from the promoter was great. Since the first day, it has been an open discussion of what this event can be."

Domenicali also expressed his satisfaction with the duration of F1’s eleven-year deal with Madrid, a longevity only surpassed by Bahrain’s covenant with the sport.

"I'm very pleased that it's a deal that takes us to 2035 – it's a long time," he added. "This is the objective as F1, with either new or more established promoters.

"It allows everyone involved to plan the future and invest in the future as it is a guarantee for the promoter, for our partners, for our teams and for our sport. It gives everyone long-term visibility.

"If you look at the past, the renewals were two years, three years or five years maximum. Now all our new deals are going in the direction of being very long. And if they are short, there is a reason."

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