Fernando Alonso's new position confirmed ahead of Spanish Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Abu Dhabi, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

Spanish Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso's new position confirmed ahead of Spanish Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso was in an announcement ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix

Originally written by Sheona Mountford. This version is a translation.

Tuesday 27 May 2025 19:00

Fernando Alonso has been given a new position ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, as Formula 1 prepares to race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The 2025 race will be Barcelona's last as the official home of the Spanish GP, with the event taking place in Madrid from 2026 onwards at the all new street circuit around the IFEMA exhibition centre.

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Madrid will dislodge the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the Spanish GP, although the Barcelona track is contracted to remain on the F1 calendar for 2026.

Despite the circuit facing an uncertain future, the track received a boost in the build-up to the 2025 race weekend.

Aston Martin star and two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso has been named ambassador to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya ahead of this weekend’s Spanish GP following an official confirmation on social media.

"Fernando Alonso becomes an ambassador for the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Welcome to the Circuit team!"

Will Barcelona remain on the F1 calendar in 2026?

The announcement over Alonso's new role comes as a surprise given Barcelona’s uncertain future on the F1 calendar, but to have such a high-profile name supporting the track could be paramount to its motorsport future.

In 2021, F1 renewed its contract with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and extended it until the end of 2026, which suggests the track will feature on next year’s calendar.

Despite Barcelona’s contract, there are still fears the circuit could be removed when Madrid joins the F1 calendar next year, although F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali previously addressed these rumours, saying: "The fact we are in Madrid is not excluding the fact we could stay in Barcelona for the future."

If F1 were to hold two races in Spain with Barcelona also present alongside Madrid, it could look similar to the distinction between Monza, known as the Italian GP, and Imola, which is officially called the Emilia-Romagna GP.

Whilst there is no official confirmation as of yet for Barcelona’s place on the 2026 F1 calendar, Alonso's high-profile status may ensure it has a fighting chance of remaining on the schedule.

Formula 1 Lando Norris Fernando Alonso Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya