Barcelona government may reconsider F1 grand prix deal

Barcelona government may reconsider F1 grand prix deal

Catalunya's government says it may need to rethink the hosting of Formula 1 and MotoGP events given the difficult economic situation.

"We could reconsider the hosting of Formula 1 or motorcycle grands prix," Andreu Mas-Colell, Catalunya's minister for economy, told RAC1 radio.

"It is not clear to us that we can afford them in the current situation.

"It is not the first thing we will reconsider, but in times like these we must look very closely at where we spend the money."

Mas-Colell's comments come after the Valencian government said it wanted to renegotiate its contract with Bernie Ecclestone in order to reduce costs.

Valencia has hosted the European Grand Prix since the 2008 season.

The Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona has been a part of the Formula 1 calendar since 1991, but officials said last year that the future of the event beyond this season would depend on economic factors.

Barcelona has a deal to host the race until 2016 and Mas-Colell said the situation must be looked at carefully in order to make sure breaking a contract does not cost more than hosting the race.

"There are contracts that are more expensive to maintain than to break," he added.

source: autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96924

Formula One Winter Testing in Valenica

2011 F1 Testing dates

Valencia (February 1-3)
Jerez (February 10-13)
Barcelona (February 18-21)
Bahrain (March 3-6)

The Valencia test will be at the Cheste Circuit, Valencia Spain.

There is no guarantee what teams will be running on the days or locations. But with Valencia being the first offical test day, expect a number of teams to be there testing and launching thir cars around the date of the first test.

For example Force India’s 2011 F1 car will make its first appearance in the second test of the year at Jerez. The VJM03 will remain in service for the first test 2011 at Valencia.

Mercedes GP will launch their 2011 car in the Valencia pit lane ahead of the first multi-team test of the year. The MGP W02 will be unveiled in front of the team’s garage on the morning of February 1 at the Spanish circuit, before it's given its on-track debut later in the day. Mercedes GP’s driver line-up for the 2011 season, Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, will be on hand to meet the media at the launch.

Sauber and Renault will also be launching their new cars in Valencia on January 31, whilst Toro Rosso will reveal their 2011 car a day later.



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