Towards an alternation between Valencia and Barcelona?
If a plan to alternate between the French and Belgian Grand Prix has been more or less under consideration in recent months, another project of this scale is taking shape in Spain.
It is rare for a country to host two races on its soil during the same season. However, Spain is the exception that proves the rule in the Formula 1 calendar.
We already know the alternation for the German Grand Prix between the Nurburgring and Hockenheim tracks, and negotiations are underway to establish an alternation between Spa Francorchamps (although in Belgium) and a French circuit (likely Le Castellet or Magny Cours) starting from the 2013 season.
The European Grand Prix in Valencia has never managed to attract crowds or convince drivers. Often described as an “industrial” Monaco, the circuit is a series of turns integrated into the commercial port of the city of Valencia.
The contract for this race expires in 2014, and it will be very difficult for the promoters to convince Bernie Ecclestone to continue the adventure.
That is why the mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera, and the Spanish Minister of Sports, Dolores Johnson, have declared their intention to extend the agreement under the best possible conditions.
The door is therefore open for a possible alternation between the Barcelona race and the Valencia race.
Voices have already been raised on this issue, including that of Adrian Newey, who regrets that the future of permanent circuits is being jeopardized by the rise of temporary sites.
He adds that it would be a real tragedy if the Barcelona race were no longer an integral part of the Formula 1 calendar each year.
