Formula 1 has confirmed that Spain’s grand prix will move to capital Madrid from 2026 on a 10-year deal.
The circuit will be laid out partly on the streets around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre, to the north-east of Madrid.
The track is due to feature 20 corners, across 5.47km, and will incorporate both street and non-street circuits, with Formula 1 due to construct a permanent pits and paddock facility.
It means the future of long-term host Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which holds a contract until 2026, is unclear.
Barcelona’s circuit has hosted Formula 1 annually since its construction in 1991 and it has also been a perennial venue for pre-season testing.
It is understood that Formula 1 is in discussions with Barcelona’s promoter over the future options. No mention of Barcelona was made in Formula 1’s announcement of its new Madrid event.
“Madrid is an incredible city with amazing sporting and cultural heritage, and today’s announcement begins an exciting new chapter for F1 in Spain,” said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“I would like to thank the team at IFEMA MADRID, the Regional Government of Madrid and the city’s Mayor for putting together a fantastic proposal. It truly epitomises Formula 1’s vision to create a multi-day spectacle of sport and entertainment that delivers maximum value for fans and embraces innovation and sustainability.”
Formula 1 has raced in Spain’s streets on three separate occasions, with Barcelona’s Pedralbes district hosting two events in the 1950s, before the city’s Montjuic Park held four rounds, most recently in 1975.
Valencia’s port area held five events under the European Grand Prix label from 2008 to 2012.
Formula 1 last visited the Madrid area in 1981, when permanent facility Jarama was last used to host the Spanish Grand Prix.
Discussion about this post