Formula 1 in Barcelona beyond 2026 still in suspense as no news on ongoing negotiations

Barcelona has a long history of hosting Formula 1 events, but the future of the event in Catalonia beyond 2026 is still in doubt.

Authorities on Monday said that negotiations over extending the contract to host the motorsport event, which ends next year, are still ongoing, but urged for silence on the matter. 

Miquel Sàmper, Catalonia's minister for business and labor, and the president of the Circuit de Catalunya motorsport venue, told journalists that the "key" to such negotiations going well was "silence."

The minister explained that the Circuit venue has worked with various other institutions to improve various aspects at the race course including modernity, and “hopefully for the renovation” of the contract as well. 

"We’re negotiating to extend it, the success of these things going right is to be discreet," Samper warned, adding that it would be a "double prize" for Spain to have two Formula 1 events in the country, with the addition of the Madrid race from 2026. 

He noted that the current government came into office last August and that negotiations started in September. "If something is agreed then we’ll announce it quickly. But right now we’re still in negotiations."

This year, authorities expect around 130,000 fans to attend the Spanish Grand Prix, a similar number to last year's "record."

Fan Village

The Spanish Grand Prix is enjoying a year of celebrations. 

2025 sees the 75th anniversary of Formula 1, 50 years since the last race in the iconic Montjuïc race track, and 35 years of Grands Prix in the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló, just outside Barcelona.

As such, the buildup to June 1's big race will see a huge fan village open in the centre of Barcelona, full of activities, games, and more.

Open from 12 noon until 9 pm every day from May 24 until May 31, fans will be able to follow all the action of qualifying on the big screens in Plaça Catalunya. On the first weekend of the village, visitors will also be able to enjoy all the action from the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Fan Forum will be one of the highlights of the event, being held on Wednesday, May 28 at 7 pm, where current F1 drivers will be there in person to meet fans. 

In addition, they'll be able to put their own skills to the test with various driving simulators and a pit stop challenge.

There will also be plenty of photo opportunities with replica F1 cars from eight different teams on show, including Aston Martin, Williams, and Red Bull.

Constatí Serrallonga, the director of the organizers Fira de Barcelona, said that the Fan Village will be “space to get to know F1 first hand.”