F1 track makes $55 MILLION investment to stay on calendar

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F1 track makes $55 MILLION investment to stay on calendar

The track in question has been an F1 mainstay for generations

Originally written by Dan Ripley. This version is a translation.

Sunday 17 March 2024 16:00

The Circuit de Catalunya has made a huge investment in its infrastructure in an attempt to stay on the Formula 1 calendar.

Spain will have another grand prix circuit from 2026 onward, a hybrid street circuit in Madrid, and the Barcelona track is trying desperately to cling on and make the country one of few with multiple races in a season.

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2026 is also the year that the Circuit de Catalunya is currently contracted to stage its final race having hosted a grand prix annually since 1991, and the Madrid announcement did little to assure them of an extension.

However, F1 chief Stefano Domenicali has publicly admitted that talks are still ongoing with Barcelona regarding an extension to the deal.

Stefano Domenicali believes Catalunya could stay

F1 Barcelona boost?

"We have always said that the works we are completing began much earlier, more than two years ago, and that they are were the result of agreements made with F1."

He added: "This €50 million (£43m )investment plan until 2026 aims to modernise and adapt the Circuit to new needs, promoting a more sustainable, innovative, industrial and digital model with the aim of transforming the Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya in a key infrastructure for the country's industry, not only in terms of hosting motorsports, but also events of all kinds."

Among the investment, work has started on upgrading hospitality facilities for 8,000 people while work is being carried out on a new pit lane building and VIP grandstand.

Formula 1 Stefano Domenicali Barcelona Circuit de Catalunya