2 days ago
Legendary F1 race to be renamed after 113 years as Grand Prix is handed controversial new title
A FORMULA ONE race has been given a name change following the introduction of a new event.
Until now, the annual race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmelo, Barcelona has been called the Spanish Grand Prix.
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However, with a new race in Madrid entering the calendar from next year, it will officially be named the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix going forward.
The Spanish GP will now represent the event in Madrid, which will debut in September 2026.
Meanwhile, the Barcelona-Catalunya GP is scheduled for June.
Fans have differing views of the name selection for the change, with one person taking to social media to write: "Hey, everyone's happy, right? Catalan GP at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (and with the Catalan flag)."
While another said: "Could Formula 1 be given a hint to remove the local region it's located in after Barcelona?
"I just noticed it's the only city on the circuit that has one, and I don't see the need. It's to treat them like everyone else and so they don't feel discriminated against..."
Prior to the announcement of the official name, Spanish journalist Juanma Castano explained: "Barcelona has more names in the world than Catalonia.
"It's a much larger land, but if you go to Australia and say Catalonia, they probably don't know where it is.
"If you say Barcelona, they usually do know where it is."
In order to make room for the new Madrid race, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy has been removed.
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The new Spanish GP will be located near the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre in the Barajas district.
As well as the new race, a new team will be introduced to the grid.
Cadillac will become the 11th team, with Sauber rebranding to Audi.
