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The Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona has signed a contract extension with Formula 1 that will see it rotate on and off the calendar with Spa-Francorchamps.
The circuit has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991 and will remain on the calendar in 2026. However, there will be two races in Spain, with the Madrid Grand Prix set to host its first race on a street circuit dubbed the ‘Madring’.
Which circuit would you like to see F1 add to the calendar?
Madrid will officially take the Spanish GP from 2027, with Barcelona signing a deal that will see it on the calendar in 2028, 2030 and 2032. It is part of F1’s new initiative to get new circuits to host races without extending the schedule past 24 races.
Spa signed a new contract in 2025, which will see the Belgian Grand Prix host races in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031. It means that it will rotate with Barcelona on the calendar after its new deal on Monday.
F1 fans fume over ‘horrendous’ decision to drop historic tracks like Barcelona and Spa for street circuits
F1 plans to rotate several European circuits on the calendar. The Dutch Grand Prix will host its last race in 2026 before Zandvoort drops off the schedule.
As for Barcelona and Spa, they will no longer be permanent staples of the F1 calendar, much to the anger of F1 fans, who fumed over the decision on X (formerly Twitter).
“Spa being alternated is such a horrendous move. You guys just can’t stop harming F1 racing can you?” said one fan.
“It is unfortunate that beautiful and technically challenging circuits like Spa are being replaced by tracks that only bring money and no spectacle, such as Miami and Jeddah,” said another.
One fan said: “You’re leaving something out. SPA/Belgian GP loses its race every other year, which is a travesty”, while another echoed: “The fact Barcelona and Spa are rotational but we’re stuck with abominations like Madrid and Miami is a disgrace.”
“We might’ve had boring races in Barcelona, but replacing permanent tracks with street circuits is a bad idea for the sport,” wrote another user.
Finally, one fan commented: “Barcelona being put on rotation and Spa not being a permanent fixture says it all. F1 is killing off its classic circuits in favor of street tracks nobody cares about. Between the new regulations and decisions like these, there’s nothing left of what made Formula 1 special.”
READ MORE: Five unforgettable Belgian GP from Schumacher vs Hakkinen to a 13 car crash
Which other European circuits could be on the F1 calendar in the future?
F1’s plan for the calendar, particularly with European races, has caused controversy amongst fans, as they are not pleased with the street circuits that are already in the sport or are being proposed.
For instance, fans have raised safety concerns about the ‘Madring’, fearing a pile-up at turn one. There are also doubts as to whether the track will be built on time for 2026.
Which F1 circuit should be rotated off the calendar with Barcelona?
If it is not, Imola is ‘top’ of the list of replacements for the Madrid GP. The Italian circuit, which hosts the Emilia-Romagna GP, dropped off the calendar at the end of 2025.
The Portuguese GP will return in 2027, having hosted races during the COVID-19-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons. Istanbul is also trying to return to F1 with the Turkish GP, which is a favourite among fans and drivers.
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