After months of negotiations and behind-the-scenes work, the Madrid Grand Prix could finally become a reality starting from 2026. According to rumors from the Spanish capital, Formula 1 could announce in a few days the second Spanish Grand Prix, which will not replace the traditional event at the Montmelo circuit in Barcelona but will be added to the calendar in just over two years.
Will the Madrid Grand Prix become a reality from 2026?
According to reports from OKDIARIO, the new facility will not be built from scratch but will represent another city circuit located in the Valdebebas area, with the epicenter at IFEMA, the entity responsible for organizing fairs, exhibitions, and congresses in Madrid and already the venue for the F1 Exhibition.
Although Montmelo still has a contract in place to host the Spanish GP until 2026 (inclusive), Liberty Media would be reluctant to maintain a double event in the same country. Therefore, there will presumably be a double GP in 2026, and then exclusive races in Madrid from 2027 onwards.
For Madrid, this would be a return of Formula 1 to the capital after over forty years of absence. The last Grand Prix was held at the Jarama circuit in 1981, where Gilles Villeneuve triumphed with Ferrari.
A few months ago, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem had already opened up to the possibility of having two GPs in Spain, as has been the case in Italy for years: “It’s about sitting around a table and negotiating what’s best for F1. Can Spain have two races? I think so. Then we have to study the commercial part, but I’m sure Formula 1 will explore this possibility.”
According to a study conducted by Forbes in 2017, the circuit would cost around 57 million euros, with the Grand Prix expected to generate around 500 million euros per year for the city of Madrid.
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“I am positive, but I am worried that any inappropriate word could be harmful,” said Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Madrid community, always eager to bring Formula 1 back to the capital.
“Madrid has the best conditions, and if it has a Grand Prix, it will be the best in the world. For the quality of the facilities, for the offering that Madrid has in every sense, for its public infrastructure, and for the flexible and open life that we have.”
Obviously, pending official announcements, the rumor should always be taken with a grain of salt, although this time, Madrid seems closer to the premier class than ever before.
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