Barcelona is not giving up on Formula 1, despite Madrid's new long-term agreement to start hosting the official Spanish GP from 2026.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali does not rule out a scenario in which Madrid and Barcelona, โโthe sport's traditional Spanish headquarters since the early 1990s, could coexist in the future.
And that is precisely what Roger Torrent, the Minister of Business and Labor of Catalonia, says he is working on.
Torrent, who also serves as president of the Circuit of Catalonia at this critical moment in its F1 history, told local network TV3 that talks with Formula 1 are "well focused and continue to move forward."
Torrent is confident that this year's Spanish GP will be "the best ever organized in Catalonia", which he claims will contribute "decisively" to F1 contract negotiations.
"The circuit is undergoing spectacular works," he explained, "with a very significant investment to adapt it to the 21st century and turn it into the best permanent layout in the world."
"When we renewed for five years, until 2026, it allowed us to address a strategic plan and the renovation of the facilities. We still have three of those five grand prizes left and we are convinced that next June will be the best in the history of the circuit" .
He said that the venue will work with local authorities and institutions so that F1 can remain "for many more years in Barcelona."
"Both Formula 1 and MotoGP are happy with the involvement of Catalonia and Barcelona in the celebration of their grand prix," Torrent added.
