Madrid is set to join the Formula 1 calendar and will host the Spanish Grand Prix from the 2026 season. The Spanish capital will hold a new race on a planned 3.4-mile, 20-corner circuit near the city’s IFEMA exhibition center. This center is located 10 miles from the city center and close to the international airport.
Discussions are ongoing with Barcelona, the traditional host of the Spanish GP, over its future in the sport. Madrid has signed a 10-season deal until 2035 and the track will feature street and non-street sections.
Barcelona has been the host of the Spanish GP at the Circuit de Catalunya since 1991, and it is currently under contract until 2026. Both Madrid and Barcelona could still feature on the calendar in future seasons. For the Madrid region, the new 2026 event will mark the first Grand Prix in 45 years.
The Jarama circuit, situated 20 miles north of the capital, last staged a Grand Prix in 1981. F1 president Stefano Domenicali expressed excitement about Madrid becoming the new home of the Spanish GP, praising the city for its sporting and cultural heritage. Madrid organizers aim to make the race one of the most accessible and sustainable on the calendar, with an initial daily attendance of over 110,000 fans expected. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem also highlighted the event’s focus on environmental sustainability.
Other notable information includes Spain’s high-profile drivers, the addition of Las Vegas to the calendar, and the staging of a record 24 races in the 2024 season. The article also provides details about the upcoming Spanish GP and historical information about Spain’s previous involvement in Formula 1. The article concludes with a mention of the availability of F1 coverage on Sky Sports F1.