In the complex tapestry of Formula 1’s governance, the simmering conflict between the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM) is casting an increasing shadow on the sport’s development. Amidst this backdrop, Carmelo Sanz de Barros, the President of the FIA Senate and a key figure in Spanish motorsport, offers his insights on the rumored Madrid Grand Prix, a topic that intertwines with these broader tensions.
Barros, also the president of Spain’s Real Automovil Club de Espana, has been a voice of cautious pragmatism amidst the growing speculation about a new urban race in Madrid. As early as June, he was tempering expectations, clarifying that while there’s considerable chatter, concrete steps towards actualizing the circuit were yet to be taken. “There’s a lot of noise but the circuit has not been approved and there is no firm proposal,” he noted.
As the speculation has continued, with some reports suggesting an imminent 2026 Madrid GP announcement, Barros provides a current perspective: “The matter still has not yet reached the federation.” This statement emphasizes that the official processes and approvals necessary for such a significant event are still pending.
Speaking at the FIA events in Baku, Barros, who is also the president of Spain’s automobile club Real Automovil Club de Espana, expressed his personal desire for the race. “As a Spaniard, born in Madrid, I want F1 in Madrid again, it is clear,” he told AS newspaper, revealing his personal connection to and enthusiasm for the idea.
Barros also commented on the possibility of Spain hosting two Formula 1 races, one in Madrid and the other in Barcelona. “Is it possible to have two? Yes, why not? We have three in the United States and two in Italy. Is it easy? No. Is it possible? Yes,” he said, acknowledging the challenges but also the precedent for multiple races in a single country.
However, Barros cautions against assuming that a Madrid GP is imminent. “I think there is a process to establish a grand prix and I don’t think it has been followed,” he stated, pointing out the procedural gaps that exist in the current scenario. “The sports authority in motorsport in Spain is the federation, and to date a project has not been received. If a proposal is considered valid and interesting, it is channelled to the FIA to deal with homologations and certifications, especially with a semi-urban circuit. And nobody at the FIA has worked on this project that is in the media.”
Barros further shared his concerns about how the Madrid GP project has been positioned politically. “It seems influenced by the political situation,” he remarked. “I have read a lot that Madrid wants to steal F1 from Barcelona and put an end to Montmelo. And we already have experience of trying to bring the Olympic Games to Madrid, and due to leaks and not following the process, it did not happen. I hope that is not the case with this because I would love to have a race in Madrid.”
He also pondered the role of the current political conflict between F1 and the Ben Sulayem-led FIA in this context. “If we talk specifically about F1, the FIA has been here for 150 years. We have seen many promoters, teams and drivers, but the only thing that is there all the time is the FIA,” he said. “The owner of F1 is the FIA. Then, in F1, there is the famous 100 year agreement for the commercial responsibility being delegated exclusively to a third party, which is FOM. I don’t blame them alone, as we haven’t done our job or paid much attention to some aspects of our responsibility, and now we are trying to get back to normal. And when you want to get it back, it creates some conflict. But whether we like it or not, it is a marriage.”
