Tuesday saw the opulent announcement of the 10-year contract that will bring the Formula One Championship back to the Madrid area, and president Stefano Domenicali was present.
The Spanish metropolis committed to F1 through 2035. Although Barcelona’s current contract expires in 2026, the Catalan race may still go place, according to Domenicali.
“The fact we are in Madrid is not excluding the fact we could stay in Barcelona for the future,” he stated. “There are discussions in place to see if we can really extend our collaboration with Barcelona, with whom we have a very good relationship.”
Subject to FIA clearance, the Madrid circuit will feature F1’s first indoor paddock in addition to street and non-street parts encircling the city show center.
Track designer Jarno Zaffelli stated that the course was still under development. Regarding potential design modifications that were revealed on Tuesday, such as racing past exhibition center pavilions, he was unable to provide an explanation. That wasn’t in the suggested arrangement as it was now.
The proposed 5.4-kilometer (3.3-mile) circuit is anticipated to have 20 turns, two tunnels, and four passing zones. It will not pass close to the city’s major tourist sites. It is anticipated that the F1 cars will have a maximum speed of 300 kph (186 mph). The anticipated time for the qualifying lap is 1 minute, 32 seconds.
The circuit will also have office spaces, VIP hospitality, entertainment areas, a new race tower, and a paddock building.
The project would not require public funding and will be managed by IFEMA, the top fair organizer in Spain.
During the pandemic, the exposition center was transformed into a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 victims and played host to the NATO summit in 2022.
According to Formula One, the arena can accommodate over 110,000 spectators per day, including general admission, VIP hospitality, and grandstand seating. During the first part of the deal, there were reportedly intentions to increase the circuit’s capacity to 140,000 per day, “making Madrid one of the largest venues on the F1 calendar.”
The new track is easily accessible by bus, next to a major metro station, and approximately five minutes from the Madrid airport. Nearly 90% of fans will be able to get to the Spanish Grand Prix by public transit, making it “one of the most accessible races on the F1 calendar,” according to F1.
“Madrid is an incredible city with amazing sporting and cultural heritage, and today’s announcement begins an exciting new chapter for F1 in Spain,” Domenicali stated. “It truly epitomises Formula One’s vision to create a multi-day spectacle of sport and entertainment that delivers maximum value for fans and embraces innovation and sustainability.”
Carlos Sainz, the winner of the Dakar Rally, was present at the event. Carlos Sainz, a Ferrari driver, is his son. Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, was the other Spanish driver in Formula One.
The Jarama circuit hosted the final Formula One event in the Madrid area in 1981. Races were held at the southern Spanish circuit of Jerez de la Frontera in 1986–1990, as well as in 1994 and 1997.
In addition, the nation held the European Grand Prix in Valencia from 2008 to 2012 on a street course.
Five years ago, the deal with Barcelona was extended to 2026 after the track promised to make modifications in time for the 2022 season. Since 1991, the Spanish Grand Prix has been held at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.
According to Spanish media, F1 and Barcelona were in talks to have Madrid take over the race’s schedule in 2026. The organizers of Barcelona expressed their hope to continue their partnership with Formula One until 2026.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull won the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the previous year.
