Carlos Sainz is hoping Barcelona can find a solution to remain as the host for the Spanish Grand Prix.
This year looks like being the final race at the Catalunya circuit which has hosted Formula 1 since 1991, amid speculation the Dutch Grand Prix will take its place next year.
The sudden departure would be quite surprising given how the sport has grown in the country following the success of Fernando Alonso.
And Sainz is disappointed that he may miss out on being able to continue the double world champion’s legacy.
“Obviously for me would be a big loss in the calendar,” he told RaceFans. “But as far as I know negotiations are still ongoing and nothing has been confirmed.
“From here, [I’m] just wishing that all the institutions are going to do their job, they’ve got to agree on something.
“I think it’s in the benefit of Barcelona, of Spain and of Formula 1 because the Spanish Grand Prix has a lot of history in Formula 1,” he added.
“This track has a lot of history in Formula 1 and it would be a big shame to lose it. So hopefully they can agree on something, maybe not next year because it’s too late, but hopefully agree something in the future.”
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Spain is not short of alternative circuits that could consider F1, and Sainz was asked about possibly returning to Jerez, which last held an F1 race in 1997.
“This city, this track, deserves to be in Formula 1,” he said, referring to Barcelona.
“If you could add Jerez then even better because I have two, but if you don’t keep Barcelona I wouldn’t mind having Jerez. So that’s pretty much my order of priority if you ask me now.”
