Barcelona will host 2021 Spanish GP after penning F1 deal

The 2021 Spanish Grand Prix will go ahead as planned after the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya signed an agreement with Formula 1.

The 9 May race in Barcelona was previously listed as subject to contract on F1’s record-breaking 23-round provisional calendar that was unveiled in November.

But after the government of Catalonia gave the green light to agree a contract extension with the championship for 2021, the Spanish Grand Prix organisers put pen to paper over a new deal that will see the race continue to take place at the circuit which has hosted F1 since 1991.

Officials say they are now working with F1 to firm up a new long-term arrangement that will secure the future of the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona on the calendar beyond this season.

“The F1 Grand Prix in Catalonia is a great world-level event that generates a multiplying effect in terms of GDP growth and the creation of jobs and wealth that is ten times higher than the contribution made by the Catalan Government,” said circuit president and Catalan minister Roman Tremosa.

“We will continue working at the government in order to turn the racetrack in Montmeló into a permanent venue for competition because Formula 1 is not an expense, but an investment.”

F1 is expected to announce a revision to the start of its 2021 calendar on Tuesday, with races in Australia and China set to be postponed amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Bahrain will instead play host to the season-opener on 28 March, while Imola and Portimao are once again expected to step in as replacements for the postponed rounds in April.

Barcelona was scheduled to host pre-season testing on 2-4 March but the winter test is likely to be pushed back and moved to Bahrain.