The Mayor of town of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has confirmed that preparations for the Spanish capital’s debut System 1 race in 2026 are advancing “as deliberate.”
The race, which is able to mark F1’s return to the Madrid space for the reason that Jarama circuit hosted the Spanish Grand Prix between 1968 and 1981, is ready to happen on a brand-new 5.47km hybrid circuit close to the IFEMA conference middle.
The circuit, designed to accommodate over 110,000 followers every day throughout grandstands, normal admission, and VIP areas, is on schedule for a 14-month development timeline.
Town council plans to start out work on the circuit and supporting amenities in April, with 5 bids from development firms and enterprise conglomerates already submitted for the venture.
Even when development begins in Could, Martínez-Almeida confirmed there would nonetheless be sufficient time to finish the work forward of the race’s anticipated September debut in 2026.
“We’re working very intensely to make this a actuality,” Martínez-Almeida advised Europa Press on Monday, assuring F1 followers and stakeholders that the venture “can be held and can be successful.”
Personal Funding, Not Public Cash
Amid political criticism over the venture’s financing, the Mayor harassed that the funding would come from non-public firms reasonably than public cash, though he stopped wanting naming the venture’s non-public companions.
“The Spanish Authorities has supplied 70 million euros for the America’s Cup in Barcelona, and Catalan establishments spend 50 million euros yearly for System 1 in Barcelona,” Martínez-Almeida countered, including that Madrid’s F1 efforts wouldn’t depend on taxpayer funds.
The Way forward for F1 in Spain
Barcelona, which has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya since 1991, stays a focus in F1’s plans.
Whereas Madrid’s 10-year contract alerts a significant shift, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has emphasised that the 2 cities aren’t in direct competitors.
“The very fact we’re in Madrid shouldn’t be excluding the actual fact we may keep in Barcelona for the long run,” Domenicali mentioned final yr.
“Trying forward, there are discussions in place to see if we will actually lengthen our collaboration with Barcelona, with whom we now have an excellent relationship, for the long run.”
With Madrid’s hybrid circuit and a 10-year deal, town goals to ascertain itself as a brand new F1 hub whereas doubtlessly sharing the Spanish Grand Prix highlight with Barcelona.
Spanish F1 Followers can relaxation assured: town’s efforts to carry System 1 again to Madrid are nicely underway.
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