Formula 1 has inked a new deal with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in a move that will keep the Spanish Grand Prix on the calendar until the end of the 2026 world championship.
MotoGP has also penned a new contract with the circuit, but it will share races with other tracks on the Iberian peninsula. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host at least two MotoGP events between 2023 and 2026.
It was agreed in the Formula 1 deal that improvements to the track and facilities – which first hosted the top class in 1991, ahead of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics – would be made in time for the 2022 race, scheduled for May 22.
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“We are delighted to announce this deal with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya,” said Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
“I want to thank the promoter and the authorities for their enthusiasm and commitment to keeping Formula 1 in Barcelona, with improvements that will be made to the track and facilities, and continuing our long history together.
“The teams and drivers always look forward to racing at the circuit and visiting Barcelona, and the Spanish fans will continue to see their national heroes, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, up close.”
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Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton won the most recent edition of the Spanish Grand Prix, cruising to victory over title rival Max Verstappen by 15 seconds on May 9.
Verstappen broke the circuit’s lap record in that grand prix, recording 1:18.149.
The track is 4.675 kilometres in length and 66 laps are raced.
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Just eight points separate Red Bull‘s Verstappen (351.5 points) and Hamilton (343.5) ahead of the final two grands prix of the season.
The field will race in Saudi Arabia on December 5 and complete the world championship in Abu Dhabi on December 12.
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