The financial feasibility of the newly-announced Madrid Grand Prix, scheduled for 2026 through 2035, is being scrutinized by Santiago Nino Becerra, a highly-respected Spanish economist. While race organizers project an annual fee of approximately EUR 60 million to Formula 1 – more than double Barcelona’s fee – Becerra casts doubt on the economic impact predictions surrounding the event.
Speaking with Marca sports newspaper, Becerra questioned the substantial difference between Barcelona’s real economic benefits from hosting F1 and Madrid’s ambitious projections. “The big question… is why in Barcelona it (F1) generates 250 million euros and Madrid it would be 450,” he stated, highlighting the striking disparity.
Becerra’s skepticism comes at a pivotal time for Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, which is undergoing facility upgrades and negotiating a new contract with F1. The economic impact of these two Spanish GPs is a crucial factor in these discussions.
Addressing Liberty Media’s business strategy, Becerra suggested two scenarios: either creating another successful race like Madrid’s and negotiating prices accordingly or facing a potential failure similar to Valencia’s past F1 venture. “It was seen in the very first year that it did not work and then the second one was a disaster. Now we will have to see what happens in the first year in Madrid,” he remarked.
Apart from economic concerns, other voices in the racing community have raised issues. David Coulthard, a former driver turned broadcaster, humorously commented on the event’s sustainability focus, while Spanish racing driver Dani Juncadella expressed skepticism about the new circuit layout.
Joaquin Verdegay, vice president of the Spanish automobile federation, also voiced safety concerns regarding the proposed semi-street layout. He noted that spectator areas are “dangerously close” to the track, indicating that achieving FIA approval for the circuit could take “five or six months.”
