F1: No Spanish GP Share Deal In Place Yet

Formula 1

F1: No Spanish GP Share Deal In Place Yet

Alternating dates for Barcelona and Valencia not a done deal...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted March 12, 2012 GMM Newswire

Bernie Ecclestone is in negotiations with officials from Valencia. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

A deal to see Barcelona and Valencia alternate a single annual Spanish Grand Prix is not quite across the finish line.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone announced last week that a deal has been struck in principle between the sport's two current Spanish hosts.

But Vicenc Aguilera, the Circuit de Catalunya president, told Mundo Deportivo newspaper: "We (Barcelona and Valencia) have two completely different business models, making the negotiations quite complex.

"We need to find the balance between the interests of Mr Ecclestone, Valencia and ourselves," he added.

He said that in the absence of a deal, Barcelona has the annual Spanish Grand Prix hosting rights through 2016.

But he acknowledged that alternating would be a "good solution" for all parties, "so I hope that in a couple of months we can make an announcement".