New country ‘set to host TWO F1 races as shock five-year deal on verge of being reached’
A SECOND country could play host to multiple Formula One races, according to shock reports in Spain.
The USA already play host to THREE F1 grand prix races; The Circuit of the Americas in Texas, Miami Street Circuit and the most new Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Spain look set to host two major races in Madrid and Barcelona.
In January, F1 announced they had signed a ten-year deal to bring the Spanish Grand Prix to Madrid until 2035.
The announcement left 2024’s F1 host, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with fears it could leave the calendar.
It’s contract to host races expires in 2026, meaning there is just one more year before it leaves the calendar.
But a fresh development may see the circuit stay around for five more years.
Barcelona are reported to be in negotiations to achieve a “long-term” agreement and are now “very close” to agreeing terms.
Barcelona City Council are said to have committed to a “save F1” project with Mayor Jaume Collboni to “do everything necessary” to ensure its continuation.
The Spanish GP has been hosted in Barcelona since 1991, and an extension to 2031 would see it get up to the 40-year mark as part of the F1 diary.
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The most recent agreement was signed in 2021 in exchange for a modernisation plan of the facility that will, when all it said and done, cost an estimated £42.8million.
Part of this came with the old chicane of Turns 14 and 15 removed for a sweeping right hand corner to improve the racing experience.
F1 chief Stefano Domenicali has left the door open to the possibility of two races in Spain.
When F1 unveiled the Madrid circuit, Domenicali said: “Barcelona is Formula 1 and work is being done to look beyond.”
This year’s race in Barcelona will commence on June 23.
Max Verstappen has won the last two races, with Lewis Hamilton winning there five times in a row before that.
Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year
F1’s newest track
The new IFEMA Madrid track will mix street and non-street sections into a 5.47km circuit with 20 corners.
It will be located near Barajas airport and next to Real Madrid‘s training base Ciudad in the suburb of Valdebebas and built around the Ifema exhibition centre.
A premium paddock building with a new race tower, office spaces, VIP hospitality and entertainment areas will also be present.
The venue itself will have more than 110,000 fans per day across its grandstands, general admission and VIP hospitality sections.
There are also plans to increase the capacity to 140,000 per day, making Madrid one of the largest venues on the F1 calendar.
Meanwhile, in line with F1’s aims, the track is also committed to reaching “Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and plans to be the most sustainable event of the season”.
All buildings will use renewable energy and any temporary structure will be made of recyclable materials.
Let’s go racing in Madrid!
— Formula 1 (@F1) January 23, 2024
Say hello to the brand-new circuit built around the @IFEMA Exhibition Centre#F1 pic.twitter.com/klysY8HAiT