F1’s Spanish Grand Prix to take place without spectators again in 2021

Circuit officials have announced the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will be held behind behind closed doors for the second F1 season running.

The 2020 edition of the event, which took place in August as a result of an amended calendar due to the pandemic, also took place without spectators.

Organisers had hoped to have been allowed to have some fans spectate the grand prix and thus put tickets on sale this week.

With current restrictions in Catalonia unlikely to be reviewed in time for May’s race, the event has confirmed it will be run without spectators.

"PROCICAT (the Catalan Civil Protection Office) has notified Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, that the Grand Prix cannot be staged under the conditions defined in the Spectator Access Protocol," the circuit said in a statement.

"Under these conditions, it is impossible to establish with absolute certainty whether or not the epidemic and welfare situation on 7, 8 and 9 May will allow for a further relaxation of the measures that do also restrict mobility at county level, which consequently would hinder fans from outside the Valles Oriental region from coming to the racetrack.

"Moreover, following the communication of the Departments of the Interior and Health of the Catalan Government, neither the epidemiological situation, nor, especially, the situation in hospitals allow expecting right now a review of the current measures or a relevant liberalisation, considering that the dates of the Grand Prix are quite close.

"Given this situation, the circuit management has proceeded to notify Formula One Management Limited that the Formula 1 Aramco Gran Premio De Espana 2021 will have to be staged without spectator attendance."

The circuit has confirmed all fans who have bought tickets will be refunded.

Barcelona joins Baku in confirming their respective races will be run behind closed doors.

This weekend’s race at Imola also has no fans present.