The boss of the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain has insisted that 'only an earthquake' could stop the country's race from continuing on the F1 schedule, despite suggestions that both his track and the Valencia street circuit are considering dropping F1.
Despite currently enjoying two races on the Formula One schedule, the future of the sport in the country has been up for debate in recent weeks.
Both the Barcelona track and the Valencia street circuit are thought to be seeking lower race fees from Bernie Ecclestone in order to continue on the schedule.
The tracks may also be forced to consider a slot-sharing deal to alternate a single race between the circuits in the future.
But despite the concerns over both races, caused by the ongoing financial downturn in the country, Barcelona track chief Salvador Servia has insisted that the race is still safe for the long term.
"Only a disaster, say, an earthquake, is a problem," he bellowed at exciting-sounding Vuelta Rapida radio this week, "Forget all the rumours and headlines, we are still working as we were before."
He added: "We have had no communications, either verbal or written from [Ecclestone] or his organisation regarding the issues of the rumours and headlines.
"We are here, working to fulfil our contract until 2016 and thinking about 2020 as well."
Recently, Ecclestone had suggested that the European leg of the F1 calendar could dwinde to as few as five races in future, as the FOM chief seeks further races in Mexico and South Africa.
But if the available European slots were to dwindle, Servia said that he would still hope his race would remain.
"If there are five then we want to be one of them, and we will fight to be," he bellowed.
Meanwhile, reports from Valencia suggest that the track has offered a slot-sharing deal to the Barcelona track, to try and reach a compromise deal.
According to the EP news agency, Valencia's regional president Alberto Fabra met with Ecclestone last week, seeking a new GP deal under "different conditions".
"Now we are waiting for a response from him and, after contact with different organisations and also with Catalonia, he will tell us what are the alternatives," he was quoted as saying.
"I'm waiting for what Ecclestone says, being aware of our economic situation, that allows us to continue with the Grand Prix."
He added that there was no chance of Valencia breaking from their current deal and dropping the race altogether.
"There is a penalty of two years of fees and then a submission to the English courts for a possible [further] compensation," he lamented regarding Ecclestone's notoriously draconian race contracts.
He added: "The only viable option is to renegotiate the contract."
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