Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, is poised to receive a thrilling early Christmas gift this year, as Formula 1 gears up to bring high-speed excitement to its streets. The air is buzzing with anticipation for a new street race, a development that’s been the subject of intense speculation among fans and pundits alike. Adding fuel to this excitement, it has been revealed that ‘Formula 1 Madrid Grand Prix’ trademarks have been registered, hinting at the imminent realization of this dream.
The buzz doesn’t stop there. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and MotoGP’s Carmelo Ezpeleta are reportedly collaborating on an ambitious plan. Their vision? A groundbreaking weekend event showcasing both two-wheeled and four-wheeled racing spectacles, a feast for motorsport enthusiasts.
Ok Diario, a Spanish digital newspaper, has now thrown more light on these developments, claiming that an official announcement about the inaugural Madrid GP, slated for 2026, is just around the corner. This new circuit, centered around the Ifema venue and in close proximity to the Ciudad Real Madrid and Barajas airport, promises to be a thrilling addition to the F1 calendar.
Interestingly, the Madrid GP is initially set to complement, rather than replace, the existing Spanish GP at the Circuit de Catalunya, which currently has a contract through 2026. This addition would mean Spain hosting two F1 races for a time.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently acknowledged the potential of this development. “It is a matter of meeting around a table and negotiating what is best for Formula 1, also on the commercial side,” he stated. Reflecting on the possibility of Spain hosting two races, he said, “I think so. We have to study the commercial part, but I am sure that Formula 1 will be doing that. And then it will work very well.”
I don’t see how Formula 1 needs another street circuit. The races are usually dull with little to no overtakes. Vegas was the exception.