Catalonia renews Formula 1 contract until 2032 for alternating years, per reports

After months of negotiations, Formula 1 will stay in Barcelona until 2032. However, race events will only take place every second year, as opposed to every single year, as has been the case.

As reported by Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia, the renewal contract, which still needs to be finalized, will be for three seasons: 2028, 2030, and 2032. This means that races will take place in Barcelona in alternating years, sharing the calendar spot with the Belgian GP in Spa-Francorchamps.

Thus, the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, with its new name debuting in 2026, will no longer take place every year, as it has done so for the past 36 editions. Up to 2025, the race in Montmeló was known 

La Vanguardia reports that Barcelona will pay close to €28 million per year to host the races, in line with the increase imposed by the promoter of the championship, Liberty Media.

Last January, Belgium announced an agreement for four races in six seasons, in alternate years, taking place in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031, which coincide with the three seasons that Barcelona will host.

The arrival of F1 in Madrid for 10 consecutive seasons starting in 2026, and the substitution of the Netherlands for Portugal (in Portimão, for two years, 2027 and 2028), will mean progressive changes to the Formula One calendar.

The season is limited to 24 grands prix, with no forecast to increase, and a third of the races are assigned to European circuits.

Catalan officials hoped to renew the motor race for a lengthy contract, up to ten years if it were possible, but only a shorter deal was achievable.