Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a partnership formed by the Government of Catalonia, the RACC and the Montmeló Town Council, has extended the contract with Formula 1® for the year 2020, thus securing the continuity of the Spanish Grand Prix in the FIA Formula 1® World Championship calendar.
With the extension of the current agreement that expires in 2019, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya confirms the staging of the Formula 1® Grand Prix next season, and will continue writing history, as the Catalan racetrack will be host to the Formula 1® Spanish Grand Prix for the thirtieth consecutive time. Moreover, with this agreement, the Circuit strengthens its international soundness and the position as a sportainment benchmark.
Currently, a Strategic Plan is being developed for Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the will to create a larger project for the facilities and secure its feasibility. The Plan will serve as a framework to define the role that F1 shall have on a longer term.
Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO, Formula 1®, said: “We are pleased to confirm that the Spanish Grand Prix will be on the calendar of the 2020 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The decision to continue to stage a round of the pinnacle of motor sport in Spain, a country with a great motor racing tradition, dating back to the start of the last century, is part of our strategy of maintaining Formula 1’s European roots, while also currently expanding the championship into new territories. The promoter’s willingness to be part of Formula 1 going into 2020 is proof of the sport’s ability to act as a catalyst for the region to hold world class events and also to have a positive impact on the area’s economy. In the coming months, we will continue our discussions to see if we can further extend this advantageous relationship. In the meantime, I would like to thank Quim Torra, the President of the Government of Catalunya for his vital support in these negotiations, in the hope of celebrating a fantastic fiftieth Spanish Grand Prix in 2020, the thirtieth to be held at one of the most technically demanding circuits on the World Championship calendar”.
Quim Torra, President of the Government of Catalonia: “Catalonia will be, for the 30th time in a row, host to a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Catalonia is a country with a very long tradition in motorsports, and therefore, we are pleased to have strengthened continue our position as a classic event in the calendar for fans all around the world. Throughout the 30 years, we have integrated this event in the industrial policies of the Government, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is an important tool to stimulate the economic activity in the country in terms of tourism, as well as in the automobile and entertainment industry. Moreover, it gives us the opportunity to show the world the way Catalans are, how we work and what our country is like. For all of these reasons, we welcome the continuity of Formula 1 in our home country. We are grateful for the excellent relationship with Chase Carey, Formula 1 Chairman and CEO, and we are well aware that our current challenge is to make sure that the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya keeps up maintains this role, both as economic driver and as a link to our sports and industrial tradition”.
The Grand Prix in figures
The staging of the Formula 1® Grand Prix generates an economic impact of 163 million euros. With a total of 160,428 spectators attending the event in 2019, the average expense made per person exceeded €1,000, while the expenses made by them in the city of Barcelona amount to a total of 28,4 million euros, including accommodation, food, leisure activities, transport and many other sectors. In addition to being a driving force for economic and social activity, the Grand Prix does also generate a huge impact in the media: more than 900 communication media cover the sports event, turning Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya into a worldwide focus of attention.
As regards the creation of opportunities along the year, the total impact on the activity production of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya exceeds 291 million euros; the total of jobs that can be potentially generated by the activity, the investment and the expenses made by spectators amounts to 2,754; and the total tax impact is slightly over 42 million euros, according to a study made by Tecnocampus.
Ticket pack with special promotion for 2020 already available
Fans can already purchase a ticket pack for the Formula 1® Spanish Grand Prix 2020 with a special promotion on the Circuit’s website: www.circuitcat.com