Regardless of a 10-year deal to host the Spanish Grand Prix on a avenue observe in Madrid, F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali claims this doesn’t suggest the top of the highway for the game on the Circuit de Catalunya.
Over time the Barcelona observe has seen off Jerez and Valencia, and although Bahrain now has the rights to pre-season testing, the Circuit de Catalunya stays a favorite with followers and drivers.
The game’s reputation in Spain took a nosedive when Fernando Alonso appeared to stroll away from F1, however together with his return, to not point out Carlos Sainz within the Ferrari, curiosity within the sport is growing, which is little doubt how the deal was bought to the Madrid authorities.
Although it’s unlikely that Spain will host two races in the identical approach that Germany did through the Schumacher years, Domenicali insists there stays a future for Barcelona.
“For the avoidance of doubt and to make clear right here, the actual fact we’re in Madrid will not be excluding the actual fact we might keep in Barcelona for the longer term,” he tells the game’s official web site.
“Wanting forward, there are discussions in place to see if we will actually lengthen our collaboration with Barcelona, with whom now we have an excellent relationship, for the longer term.”
In response to the positioning, Spain had a complete season TV viewers of 77m final 12 months, which is round 3.5m per race on common and an 84% improve versus the earlier 12 months. Certainly, with Alonso claiming podiums in 5 of the opening six races, F1.com claims that over 10m watched final 12 months’s Grand Prix.
“Spain was a market that simply a few years in the past, was not within the centre of our eyes,” admits Domenicali. “Now it is rather essential. We signed a brand new take care of Spanish broadcaster DAZN till at the least the top of 2026.
“It is a good downside to have, to have a number of cities, some in the identical nation, desirous to host a Grand Prix,” he provides. “It exhibits the worth of our proposition. However we have to maintain targeted on the rationale for our success and ensure we aren’t complacent.”
Referring to the size of the Madrid deal, he says: “It is a very long time. That is the target as F1, with both new or extra established promoters. It permits everybody concerned to plan the longer term and make investments sooner or later as it’s a assure for the promoter, for our companions, for our groups and for our sport. It provides everybody long-term visibility.
“Should you take a look at the previous, the renewals have been two years, three years or 5 years most. Now all our new offers are going within the route of being very lengthy. And if they’re brief, there’s a motive.”
