Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto is looking to host F1 races again from 2021 onward after fruitful talks with Liberty Media, FormulaRapida.net can report.
With Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona having only a one-year contract to stage the Spanish GP in 2020, the backers of Jerez is putting itself back in the F1 circuit with an intention to host grand prix races again from the 2021 season onward after a gap of 24 years.
The financial situation at Barcelona looked dicey already for 2020 but they managed to secure a one-year extension alongside the deal to keep the two three-day winter testing as well. For 2021 though, there is no certainty if they can still stage a F1 race.
Both Barcelona and Jerez are looking for a long-term contract. The latter has held fruitful talks with the Liberty Media over a possible return but the circuit will need some work before it can host F1 races as the track is primarily used for MotoGP races.
The last F1 race at Jerez was the infamous 1997 grand prix after which the circuit was banned from hosting races. It never got the chance again with winter testing continuing on until 2015. They hosted a standalone FIA Formula 2 Championship round in 2017.
“We have serious intentions to bring back F1 at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto,” said a spokesperson to FormulaRapida.net exclusively. “The local corporations and the Andalusian Government are looking forward to create a budget for the grand prix to happen.
“We can confirm that we have had talks with Liberty Media but the matter is confidential.” Should Jerez indeed return to the F1 calendar from 2021 onward, it is likely to replace Barcelona as the new Spanish GP venue, which will end the long tenure of the latter.
The 2020 F1 season already has the maximum number of races at 22 with the return of Netherlands and an addition of Vitenam. The new regulation from 2021 has maximum limit of 25 in a season but it is not necessary that they will certainly hit that mark.
Here’s details on the confirmed 2020 calendar
Here’s confirmation of Barcelona getting one-year extension
Additional input from Sergio Rodriguez
