Barcelona remains 'quiet' yet 'hopeful' regarding a new F1 agreement.

      The organizers of the Barcelona Grand Prix remain optimistic about successfully negotiating a new race contract with Formula 1. While the event at the Circuit de Catalunya is confirmed for 2025 and 2026, next year it will coincide with a street race in Madrid, which has a long-term contract and has taken on the official title of the Spanish GP. With Formula 1 shifting away from its European origins and implementing an annual rotation for certain historic races, beginning with Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, a straightforward contract renewal for Barcelona appears unlikely.

      However, Miquel Samper, the business minister of the Generalitat of Catalonia, continues to express hope, urging for "patience" and reminding race fans in Barcelona that "silence often ensures success." "We are having the same discussions as we did with MotoGP, and we need to be patient," he stated to RAC1.

      Samper made these comments while announcing a new contract extension for Barcelona with MotoGP that lasts until 2031. "These discussions require discretion," he added when asked to share details about the ongoing negotiations with Formula 1. "Silence typically guarantees success, and we are conducting this with the same discretion as we have with all our MotoGP negotiations, hoping for a similar outcome," Samper noted. When asked if he felt optimistic, he responded affirmatively: "Yes, yes."

      In related news, RAC1 presenter Jordi Baste revealed that Carlos Sainz, rather than Fernando Alonso, is expected to be introduced as an ambassador for the Madrid GP. "Perhaps Alonso did not want to engage in this ‘war’ as he prefers to compete on a circuit - like most drivers," he commented.