Home F1 F1 confirms Madrid taking over as Spanish GP from 2026

F1, Spanish GP, Madrid — Sergio "Checo" Perez performs during Red Bull Showrun in Madrid, Spain on 15 July 2023. // Jacobo Medrano / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202307160037 // Usage for editorial use only //

F1 confirms Madrid taking over as Spanish GP from 2026

23/01/2024

F1 has confirmed Madrid to become the new Spanish GP home from 2026 onward and will run for nine years in a long-term deal.

The reports of Madrid GP joining the F1 calendar surfaced around a year ago and has been in the reckoning for sometime now. It was noted to be a street track around the Valdebebas area, with the IFEMA convention center as the epicenter of the grand prix.

The news was about Madrid GP starting out in either 2026 and or 2027, but F1 has now confirmed the starting date to be in 2026 when the current deal with Barcelona ends for Spanish GP. It will run until the 2035 season in a nine-year deal.

In fact, Madrid will be the new host of the Spanish GP but F1 has not shared anything regarding the Barcelona event of 2026. Shedding some details of the new street circuit in Madrid, it will be a 5.47 km circuit – subjected to FIA homologation.

The final design will feature 20 corners in all with a projected timing of 1m32s around the IFEMA exhibition centre. The new venue will have to capacity to hold 110,000 fans per day and a chance to grow it to 140,000 per day over the first half of the agreement.

Since its location being close to Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez airport, F1 notes it to be the most accessible grand prix on the calendar due to strong connectivity whether via metro, train and or city lines and higher chances of using public transport.

“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 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.”

Meanwhile, the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, noted: “Modern Formula 1 cars racing on a new circuit in the Spanish capital city of Madrid is an enticing prospect. As we build towards the introduction of the FIA 2026 Formula One regulations, which have been framed with Net Zero carbon by 2030 in mind, it is pleasing to see that the local organisers have placed a sharp focus on environmental sustainability in their plans for the event. As is customary, the proposed circuit will be subject to FIA homologation and safety checks
and calendar approval by the World Motor Sport Council.”

From the organisers’ side, Jose Vicente de los Mozos, President of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID, stated: “Our dream of hosting a major F1 event around IFEMA MADRID has come true. We are thrilled to announce the return of F1 to Madrid after more than four decades. We have the ambition to organise a Grand Prix that will become a reference in the F1 worldwide calendar, specifically conceptualized and designed to offer a distinctive and unique experience for both fans and teams participating in the competition. With this, Madrid wants to deep dive into the development of a new concept that combines sport and entertainment, while delivering a memorable event.”

Isabel Diaz Ayuso, President of the Region of Madrid, added: “It is with great satisfaction that we announce Formula 1 is coming to the Community of Madrid, to a region and a capital that inspires openness and confidence within and beyond our borders. We are the main engine of Spain’s prosperity and progress.

“This event, which we expect to be followed on a global scale by 70 million people, will represent an increase of more than 450 million euros in Madrid’s GDP per year and the creation of 8,200 jobs. The Community of Madrid is a region with a great international projection, open, plural, and competitive, and F1 will contribute to further consolidate the Madrid brand among the best in the world.”

And finally, Jose Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Madrid, added: “With the announcement of the Grand Prix, Madrid moves into the future and joins the exclusive group of cities hosting F1 today, placing us at the forefront of the world’s capitals in attracting major events.

“We know that F1 is more than a race, it is an unprecedented opportunity to drive the transformation that Madrid is undergoing, and to show the world what we are capable of. I am confident that Madrid will be up to the task, not only because we deserve a spectacle of the magnitude of F1, but also because F1 deserves a city with the energy, character, and passion of Madrid.”