It is now official: FIA Formula 1® and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya have decided to renew their current deal; hence confirming the staging of the Spanish Grand Prix in the Barcelona race track for the 2021 season, on the weekend of May 9.

The organization of a Grand Prix in Spain had already been foreseen in the provisional 2021 season calendar. However, the uncertainty and the travelling restrictions imposed by several Countries around the world, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have accelerated the negotiations. 

The head of the Catalan Business and Knowledge Ministry commented the news stating that “Catalonia is a motor racing country, with a huge number of followers, international champions and extraordinary infrastructures”, and that with this agreement, they are securing the presence of Spain in the premier class of motorsport for another year. 

2021 will be the 65th edition of the Spanish Grand Prix and, although for the time being, the deal is still one-year long, both parties are working on more. The Spanish organizers aim to extend their collaboration with F1 beyond next season. Their intent might be aided by the return of world-champion Fernando Alonso to Alpine and the passage of Carlos Sainz to Ferrari. The race has been a regular fixture on the calendar since it was introduced in 1991.

After coming into scrutiny in 2019 due to financial troubles of the organisers, the Spanish GP has now secured its spot and the Catalan Minister of Business and Knowledge, and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya President, Ramon Tremosa, commented that “the F1 Grand Prix in Catalonia is a great world-level event that generates a multiplying effect in terms of GDP growth and wealth”. 

Tremosa also added that they will continue working on turning the racetrack in Montmeló into a permanent venue for the competition, “because Formula 1 is not an expense, but an investment”.