The Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona is standing its ground, refusing to be overshadowed by the emerging prospect of a new F1 race in Madrid for 2026. This new chapter in the F1 calendar, rumored to be announced imminently, is set to feature an innovative city race near Real Madrid’s training grounds, complete with a unique indoor section and a Zandvoort-style banked corner.
Despite the intrigue surrounding the event, with ‘Madrid GP’ trademarks already filed and reports of a ten-year contract in the works, Spanish media outlets report a lack of formal requests for event dates or an approved circuit layout from Spain’s FIA-linked sanctioning body, RFEDA.
Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, with its F1 deal running until 2026, remains undeterred by the Madrid buzz. A source from the circuit told Marca sports newspaper, “We are not going to respond to rumours. We can only say that right now we are working on having the best Spanish GP possible in 2024, that we have a contract until 2026 inclusive, and that we are working with F1 to extend this agreement for more years.”
The Catalan government echoed this sentiment, dismissing talks of Madrid replacing Barcelona as mere “rumours.” Patricia Plaja, spokeswoman for the Generalitat de Catalunya, stated to El Mundo Deportivo newspaper, “In no case have the organisers informed us or made any changes official.”
However, Victor Francos, president of the Consejo Superior de Deportes sports council, acknowledged Madrid’s potential impact on Barcelona’s F1 future. “It is known that there is a project in Madrid, which Ifema has presented, and that it is a semi-urban circuit which is competing with Barcelona,” he admitted. “For the first time, there is an alternative proposal.”
Madrid’s mayor, Jose Luis Martinez Almeida, confidently declared, “We are the best city to host F1. We have worked through Ifema, but the official confirmation comes from F1.” When questioned about the inaugural Madrid GP coinciding with Barcelona’s existing contract, he responded, “We have worked to meet all the requirements, but the final decision is for F1.”
Meanwhile, sources at Ifema, the Madrid events organization and venue, informed Europa Press that discussions with Liberty Media are nearing completion, although the Madrid GP awaits final confirmation. “Progress is being made and the final decision is a matter for Formula 1,” they added.
As El Mundo newspaper reports, “powerful multinationals” involved in the Mexican and Miami Grands Prix are also backing the Madrid GP project, hinting at a grand entry for Madrid into the world of Formula 1.
