BARCELONA: The Catalan government has confirmed it will grant financial backing to fund the Spanish Grand Prix for 2020 to “guarantee the celebration of the 30th consecutive edition of this event” at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Barcelona is one of four races whose contract expires at the end of the current season.
With new rounds in Vietnam and the Netherlands joining the 2020 F1 calendar, next season will expand to 22 races making it the biggest F1 world championship in history.
A statement issed by the Govern de la Generalitat de Catalunya reads: “The executive council has today (Thursday) authorised the Circuits de Catalunya, SL society to sign a one-year extension of the contract for the organisation of the F1 Spanish Grand Prix for the year 2020 with the Formula One World Championship Limited company.
“The subsequent signing guarantees the 30th consecutive event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Montmelo.
“The F1 Grand Prix in Catalonia is an event that contributes to the positioning of Catalonia in the areas of tourism and the automotive industry.
“Its continuity will also allow the presence of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the calendar of the main national and international motor competitions while a long-term strategic plan for the Circuit de Catalunya is drawn up.”
According to Spanish media the 2020 Barcelona race would take place on May 15-17, between the Dutch and Monaco Grands Prix, Autosport reports.
