IndyCar CEO Mark Miles wants the series’ planned Barcelona race to become its European home base. RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports that Penske Entertainment and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya have a contract running through 2036. Miles described it as a 10-year deal, but said provisions could make it shorter if the event is not what those involved had in mind. “Our focus is absolutely on making this the home base of IndyCar in Europe,” he told RACER.
Motorsport.com’s Joey Barnes reports that the inaugural IndyCar Grand Prix of Barcelona is planned for July 16-18, 2027, at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The outlet calls it the championship’s first European race since 2007.
Miles told Motorsport.com that BOLD Technology, a firm near the circuit involved in developing an energy-storage system for IndyCar’s new car, contacted series staff because its contacts believed people at the track wanted to talk to IndyCar. RACER describes the circuit as courting both IndyCar and five-time champion Alex Palou, who is from Barcelona.
RACER reports that the circuit promoter is funding and handling the event. Miles described it as a traditional promoter arrangement that covers IndyCar’s costs. He hopes Spain opens the door to more international events, telling RACER, “I can see another one.”
