Organisers of Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix have issued a statement urging the government to step in and assist in its efforts to save the event.
Formula 1 has raced at the purpose-built Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, located on the outskirts of the Catalan capital, since 1991.
But its contract expired at the end of this month’s event and its future appears bleak.
The returning Dutch Grand Prix is ostensibly set to take its place on the calendar but an exact date for Zandvoort has yet to be officially confirmed in case Formula 1 can still reach a renewal with Barcelona.
On Friday organising committee RACC released a statement calling for “political will to find an urgent solution to renew F1”.
“The RACC asks all administrations and the business world to maintain the Formula 1 championship at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Barcelona.
“[We want to] be able to maintain in our country one of the most important sport events that is celebrated in the world every year.
“The RACC considered that the continuity of the F1 Grand Prix in Catalonia is a strategic decision at the business, economic and sports level, and that is why it is urgently necessary to find a better solution.
“The Grand Prix has an economic impact on the services, automotive, tourism, transport and entertainment sectors close to 163 million euros and generates 2,700 jobs.
“At the same time, this event is key to the Circuit, which is one of the most important sport infrastructures in Catalonia.”
It also added that the impact of worldwide media attending the event also contributed positively to both the region of Catalonia and the country of Spain.
“Therefore, the RACC, with more than 50 years of history in front of this competition in our country, since 1969 at the Montjuïc circuit, has asked the Government of the Generalitat, the Spanish State, the rest of the administrations and the business world for collaboration, consensus, solidity and unity of action to achieve a stable agreement such that in the next few years the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will continue to host F1.”
Spain is expected to be one of two countries to drop from the 2020 calendar, with the future of the German Grand Prix unclear.
Vietnam is to join the roster next year with an April date pencilled in to the provisional schedule.
