Barcelona extends F1 contract to 2016

(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone announced in Barcelona on Saturday that he has renewed the contract for the Spanish grand prix here until 2016.

After inking a deal with the Spanish port city of Valencia for 2008 and beyond, some commentators wondered whether it meant the existing race held annually at the Circuit de Catalunya since 1991 was in doubt.

76-year-old Ecclestone hinted that the negotiations with the Catalan government had been tricky.

"I am obviously very happy we have reached a conclusion and we are on good terms again," he said.

The previous contract was set to run out in 2011.

Bernie explained: "At one stage we were a bit concerned that we wouldn't be able to reach an agreement."

Reinforcing Spain's booming F1 popularity, a record qualifying crowd of 100,000 countrymen were expected to watch double world champion Fernando Alonso in action here on Saturday.

67,000 rolled through the turnstiles on Friday, and about 30,000 on Thursday.