Formula 1 has extended its contract with officials at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to host the Spanish Grand Prix through 2026.
The event has been held at the venue, on the outskirts of Barcelona, since its construction in 1991.
Its future appeared uncertain after the expiration of its previous contract in 2019 but it received one-year deals to continue on the schedule in 2020 and 2021.
Earlier this week Catalan’s government gave the green light for circuit officials to ratify negotiations with Formula 1.
On Friday a fresh five-year deal was confirmed to keep Formula 1 at the circuit until 2026.
Under the new agreement improvements to the circuit and facilities will be made ahead of next May’s event.
It was not outlined whether circuit improvements will include any alterations to the layout.
“We are delighted to announce this deal with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya,” said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“I want to thank to promoter and the authorities for their enthusiasm and commitment to keeping Formula 1 in Barcelona, with improvements that will be made to the track and facilities, and continuing our long history together.
“The teams and drivers always look forward to racing at the circuit and visiting Barcelona, and the Spanish fans will continue to see their national heroes, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz up close.”
Pretty much inevitable for a while, so entirely unsurprising.