Barcelona offers F1 calendar help as Turkey waits
"If they ask us, we will help them"
Barcelona has offered to step in if Formula 1 needs another replacement race as the 2026 calendar comes under renewed pressure.
The championship is trying to preserve at least a 22-race season after the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but renewed conflict in the Middle East has made the return of Bahrain increasingly uncertain.
With Qatar and Abu Dhabi also still to come later this year, Formula 1 is understood to be exploring contingency options.
While Istanbul has again expressed interest, reports suggest the circuit would first require upgrades before it could host Formula 1 again.
The preferred alternative is understood to be a second race at an existing venue - such as Baku or Singapore - although teams are reportedly cool on that idea.
If an entirely new replacement becomes necessary, Portimao, Imola and Barcelona are all considered realistic European options.
Catalonia’s regional business minister Miquel Samper says Barcelona would be ready to help.
"When the Dana storm forced the relocation of the Valencian MotoGP, Barcelona showed that in just eleven days it could put on one of the most beautiful races in history," he told Diario Sport.
"If they ask us, we will help them."