IndyCar to race in Barcelona on July 18, 2027

IndyCar will stage a race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on July 18, 2027, bringing the series back to Europe for the first time since 2007 and giving Barcelona-born champion Alex Palou a home event. The announcement describes a multiyear agreement; officials characterized it as a 10-year deal. The race will be IndyCar’s first event outside North America since 2013, when the series competed in Brazil. The announcement places the Barcelona event on the 2027 calendar, while a full schedule reveal was still to come. The event’s audience and commercial impact will be measurable only after it is held. Fernando Alonso welcomed the decision, saying the permanent circuit supports Spanish motorsport by giving young drivers and teams a place to test and develop. The two-time Formula 1 champion pointed to the venue’s ability to host multiple championships, including the World Endurance Championship and MotoGP, as well as year-round testing. Alonso also cautioned against IndyCar expanding too far beyond its traditional U.S. base. He said international travel raises costs for teams and drivers and argued the series should retain its U.S. focus, with perhaps one or two races abroad. His...