Formula 1: the streets of Madrid will have their own Grand Prix starting from 2026

Madrid will host the Spanish Grand Prix of Formula One starting from 2026, on a semi-urban circuit, as announced on Tuesday in an event attended by the Italian Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of F1, and the Spaniard José Vicente de los Mozos, president of the F1 Fair Institute Spanish capital.

The Spanish Grand Prix – which this year and next will still take place in Montmeló (Barcelona) – will take place on the aforementioned IFEMA circuit, in principle, from 2026 to 2035, as reported in the aforementioned event, in which it participated also Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, was present; José Luis Martínez Almeida, mayor of Madrid; and Angel Asensio, president of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce.

The new route – with urban sectors and others that will not be urban -, still subject to approval by the FIA ​​(International Automobile Federation), will be almost five and a half kilometers (5,470 metres) long and will have 20 curves. And the estimated lap time, in qualifying, will be around one minute and 32 seconds.

The circuit is designed by DROMO, the company chaired by the Italian Jarno Zafelli – also present at the event – and among its latest notable activities we remember the renovation of the Zandvoort circuit, home of the Dutch Grand Prix.

Also present at the event, among many others, was the Spaniard Carlos Sainz, new winner of the Dakar for the fourth time.

The visible leader of the project, born as an exclusively private initiative and ongoing for a couple of years, is the aforementioned José Vicente de los Mozos, who has made use of the precious help, in interminable negotiations, of Luis García Abad: a man who knows perfectly the behind the scenes of F1 and who, among the many other activities linked to the premier category, has experienced on the front line, as a representative, all the successes of the Spanish double world champion Fernando Alonso.

The venue that will host the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid from 2026 will incorporate a ‘premium’ building where the paddock will be located, with a new race management tower, office spaces, a VIP area and several recreational areas.

In principle, an initial capacity of around 110,000 spectators per day is expected, including grandstands and VIP areas; for an event that aims to be inclusive and reach fans of all purchasing power levels. According to the organization, already in the first half of the agreement – initially planned for ten years – it is planned to expand the capacity of the venue up to a total of 140,000 fans, which would make Madrid one of the busiest Grands Prix on the calendar.

News in development.