Madrid will have Formula 1 Grand Prix starting in 2026

 MADRID, 23 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Madrid will organize the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2026 to 2035, so the World Championship of the largest motorsport competition returns to the Spanish capital more than 40 years later, as announced at an event held at Ifema Madrid this Tuesday. .

The agreement was made official in an event that hosted one of the pavilions of the Madrid venue, attended by the president and CEO of F-1, Stefano Domenicali; the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso; the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida; the president of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, Ángel Asensio; and the president of Ifema, José Vicente de los Mozos.

Thus, after months of speculation and rumors about Madrid's race to host the F-1 World Cup, the return of the competition to the capital of Spain would be confirmed. This will become effective in 2026, and will extend over a period of ten years, until 2035. A link with F-1 that would compromise the continuity of the Cirtui de Barcelona-Catalunya as a venue on the calendar.

The preliminary draft of the circuit concept, pending homologation by the FIA, will have a length of 5.474 km, 20 curves, and a qualifying lap of 1 minute and 32 seconds. The route would use the Ifema Madrid roads, both from the current site and the future ones on the Valdebebas plot, in addition to just 1.5 km of public roads, according to a statement from the Madrid site, which will provide "unprecedented spaces" on the F- 1, as a covered and heated paddock.

This concept of the circuit and its facilities has been developed by the Italian engineer Jarno Zaffelli, founder and CEO of Dromo, a company responsible for the design and renovation of the World Championship and MotoGP routes since 2000.

"It is a new generation circuit, tailor-made for the cars of the future. We paid a lot of attention to social aspects, so we thought about creating a hybrid, semi-urban circuit. It will be a kilometer zero circuit, thanks to the logistics and the available space , which will reduce operating costs, compared to a permanent layout," said Zaffelli during the event about the new GP, which will have a flamenco version of the official F-1 anthem.

The concept of the track, which is estimated to start with 110,000 spectators and exceed 140,000 in the fifth year of the new GP, is "based on the comments of the drivers" and will have "more banking." Thus there will be "very fast sections", along with other "slower" ones.

In short, "a complete circuit" with maximum speed peaks of 300 km/h, in addition to four overtaking points on a circuit in which the drivers must do 55 laps, with a 'blind' curve due to its unevenness at the pass. of the Valdebebas route as one of the most notable points of the presented route.

The 'Great Circus' event in Madrid would be 100% financed with the contribution of private companies, with Ifema Madrid as promoter of the event, and would have an economic impact for the capital of Spain of more than 450 million euros annually. generating more than 8,000 direct jobs.

Starting in 2026, the Spanish Grand Prix will benefit from more than 200,000 m2 of pavilions at Ifema; 10,000 meters of multipurpose meeting spaces; and 10,000 parking spaces. All the infrastructures "equipped with the latest technology and advanced security, communication and air conditioning systems" will allow "raising the standards of the experience for both the participants and the passionate followers of Formula 1."

DOMENICALI: "THE MADRID PROJECT IS INNOVATIVE AND IMAGINATIVE"

The president of F-1, Stefano Domenicali, highlighted during the event held at Ifema the "incredible moment" that the competition is experiencing, which "is not just a spectacle", but encompasses "unique experiences, technology and competition".

"The response from Spain today is incredible. It is a unique movement in this country. Thanks to Carlos Sainz, to Fernando Alonso, for whom (the new GP) will be another stimulus to continue showing that he is a strong driver and champion," he commented. about the future of the Asturian in the World Cup.

Domenicali praised the "diversity and complementarity" of the project with the values ​​of the competition, highlighting "sustainability, putting attention to the fan at the center." "Madrid proposes an innovative and imaginative project. From today we have to work hard because time passes quickly," he said.