F1 has confirmed that Spanish GP will stay on the calendar for the 2020 season after signing a new deal with the organisers.
The Spanish GP came under a scanner at the start of the 2019 F1 season due to financial troubles as the organisers asked for Government’s help to secure its future for at least one more year in 2020.
After months of discussions, the agreement was reached with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with a partnership formed by the Government of Catalonia, the Real Automovil Club de Catalunya (RACC) and the Montmelo Town Council.
It will be the 50th Spanish GP, with the first grand prix being held in 1951. The grand prix has taken place in multiple circuits in Spain with Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona being the host since the 1991 season.
The circuit also stages the pre-season F1 tests. As per the data supplied, the past three years as seen a total of 510,556 fans in attendance, with the 2019 event generating 163 million euros in 2019.
“We are pleased to confirm that the Spanish GP will be on the calendar of the 2020 FIA F1 World Championship,” said Chase Carey. “The decision to continue to stage a round of the pinnacle of motor sport in Spain, a country with a great motor racing tradition, dating back to the start of the last century, is part of our strategy of maintaining F1’s European roots, while also currently expanding the championship into new territories.
“The promoter’s willingness to be part of F1 going into 2020 is proof of the sport’s ability to act as a catalyst for regions to hold world class events and also to have a positive impact on the area’s economy. In the coming months, we will continue our discussions to see if we can further extend this advantageous relationship.
“In the meantime, I would like to thank Quim Torra, the Catalan President for his vital support in these negotiations, in the hope of celebrating a fantastic fiftieth Spanish GP in 2020, the thirtieth to be held at one of the most technically demanding circuits on the World Championship calendar.”
Meanwhile, Quim Torra, President of the Government of Catalunya added: “Catalonia will be, for the 30th time in a row, host to a F1 Grand Prix. Catalonia is a country with a very long tradition in motorsports, and therefore, we are pleased to have strengthened continue our position as a classic event in the calendar for fans all around the world.
“Throughout the 30 years, we have integrated this event in the industrial policies of the Government, and the F1 Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is an important tool to stimulate the economic activity in the country in terms of tourism, as well as in the automobile and entertainment industry. Moreover, it gives us the opportunity to show the world the way Catalans are, how we work and what our country is like.
“For all of these reasons, we welcome the continuity of F1 in our home country. We are grateful for the excellent relationship with Chase Carey, F1 Chairman and CEO, and we are well aware that our current challenge is to make sure that the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya keeps up maintains this role, both as economic driver and as a link to our sports and industrial tradition.”
With Spanish GP confirmed along with British GP and Mexico GP and signing of new deal with Vietnam GP and Dutch GP, F1 is certainly moving towards 22 races in 2020 with German GP likely to miss out.
