Next year’s Spanish Grand Prix will go ahead as planned after the Catalan government gave approval for the contract to be signed on Wednesday.
The race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has faced a more uncertain future recently, after only a single-year extension was agreed with Formula 1 after the previous contract expired in 2019.
Due to Covid-19, however, that 2020 round was postponed from May to August and took place behind closed doors, though that didn’t stop Lewis Hamilton from taking a comprehensive win for Mercedes.
While no contract was in place, Spain was included in the provisional 2021 schedule and, likely buoyed by the return of Fernando Alonso after two years away, Barcelona will celebrate what will be the 30th anniversary of its first race back in 1991 next year.
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“The Government has authorised the company Circuits de Catalunya SL to sign with the company Formula One World Championship Limited (FOWC) the renewal of the contract for the organisation of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix for the year 2021,” a statement read.
“The signature guarantees the celebration of the 31st consecutive edition of this event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Montmeló.
“The F1 Grand Prix is an asset that contributes to Catalonia’s position in the world in the fields of tourism and automotive.
“Its continuity will also make it possible to maintain the presence of the circuit in the calendar of the main national and international motor competitions.”
Under the proposed calendar, the Spanish GP shall return to its traditional May slot, though as the pandemic continues to reach new heights in Europe and elsewhere, a nervy eye for those early season race organisers is no doubt being kept on the situation.