Barcelona open to F1 race alternation amid contract talks

Barcelona could retain its place on the Formula 1 calendar if it agrees to a proposed race rotation model for Europe.

Many had hoped an announcement would be made this weekend confirming an extension beyond 2026 — despite Madrid taking over the official 'Spanish GP' name from next year.

But no such news has emerged.

Catalonia's business minister, Miquel Samper, says negotiations with F1 are still ongoing — and deliberately slow.

"The best cooking is slow cooking," he smiled.

"Little by little, little by little. It takes a few days, a few weeks, a few months — we'll see."

Pressed on what the race would even be called after losing the Spanish GP title to Madrid, Samper replied: "That's part of the negotiation."

One increasingly likely scenario is that Barcelona, like Spa-Francorchamps, agrees to host the race every second year as part of a new alternation scheme for key European rounds.

"There are several possibilities on the table," Samper confirmed when asked about a rotation deal.

"There are two parties negotiating that are not minor. It's an entire government and an entire Formula 1.

"So there are many possibilities, and that's why this is dragging on.

"We're analysing all the pros and cons, but you can't even imagine the demand from countries wanting to host grands prix. Therefore, this requires a great deal of professionalism in management and a great deal of discretion," he added.