Verstappen hopes that Barcelona remains on the F1 calendar.

      "I still believe Barcelona holds significance"

      12 September 2025 - 10:50

      Max Verstappen has expressed his desire for Barcelona to stay on the Formula 1 world championship calendar beyond 2026. The street event in Madrid has already been confirmed as Spain’s permanent host starting in 2026, but F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has suggested a race rotation plan that could allow Barcelona to remain part of the lineup alongside another European location like Spa-Francorchamps.

      "I think it would be fantastic for Barcelona to continue in F1," the four-time world champion, who isn't particularly fond of street circuits, shared with El Mundo Deportivo. "I have great memories of the Circuit; it’s a wonderful track for driving an F1 car.

      "However, I also believe it’s vital for Spain. While Madrid is joining F1, which is great to see the excitement around F1 in the nation, I still consider Barcelona to be essential. Having such a suitable and historic circuit is significant. Both cities are remarkable, and it would mean a lot to me if Barcelona remained on the calendar."

      The 27-year-old also voiced his admiration for fellow champion Fernando Alonso, who is still competing for Aston Martin at 44.

      "He may not have a car capable of winning the championship, but he never quits," Verstappen noted. "He’s always a fighter, and that’s something I really respect about him. He maintains his passion even when circumstances are tough. To me, that proves he’s a true competitor. I hope to emulate that for many years."

      When asked if a title rivalry with Alonso could develop under the new regulations, Verstappen responded, "I certainly hope so! Competing for a World Championship against Alonso would be incredible. I have immense respect for Fernando as he is an outstanding champion.

      "I would love that, but it’s hard to predict what F1 will look like in 2026."

      He also shared his thoughts on the upcoming rule changes. "The cars will certainly be slower. They will have increased power but decreased downforce. I think driving them will be quite a different experience. Let’s hope these new regulations and cars can ultimately lead to improved racing in F1."

      Regarding his competitors, Verstappen identified Charles Leclerc as the strongest in qualifying and among the best at overtaking, but he reserved his highest praise for Alonso in terms of racing, defending, intelligence, and competitive mindset.

      "Fernando could have achieved much more than he has, that’s a certainty," Verstappen remarked. "He could have won even more if he had been with the right team at the right time."

      When discussing Lewis Hamilton, his former championship rival, Verstappen downplayed the notion of missing their competitive encounters. "No, ‘missing’ is a very strong word," he said. "I value the competition I experienced during that time."