F1 will race on the streets of the Spanish capital for the first time in 2026 after CEO Stefano Domenicali announced the formation of the Madrid Grand Prix on Tuesday. This will mark the sport’s return to the city after the Jarama circuit hosted in 1981.
This new announcement plunges the future of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya into doubt. The track has been a mainstay on the F1 calendar since it debuted during the 1991 season.
After replacing the largely unpopular Jerez circuit, which made its final appearance on the calendar in 1990, Catalunya has hosted every single instalment of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Now, however, a new host location has entered the fold. The Madrid street circuit will become the sixth different venue to host an F1 race on Spanish soil when it makes its debut in 2026.
Speaking after the race’s announcement, Domenicali said: “Madrid is an incredible city with amazing sporting and cultural heritage and today’s announcement begins an exciting new chapter for F1 in Spain.”
The new circuit, which will be a part-street track that incorporates road circuit elements, will be on the calendar until 2035 at the latest after the organisers committed to a 10-year contract.
Spanning 5.47km (3.399 miles), the circuit will consist of 20 corners and navigate the area between the Ifema Exhibition Centre and Barajas airport.
Following the announcement, the FIA have publicised the Madrid street race’s importance to the sport’s new sustainability goals with F1 aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2030.
F1 bosses have claimed that the new addition to the calendar will be “one of the calendar’s most accessible races” with 90 per cent of attendees able to access the racetrack by public transport.
The confirmation of Madrid’s arrival on the calendar coincides with a drastic increase in Spanish interest towards F1. With both Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz driving at the front end of the grid, the home crowd will have no shortage of stars to cheer for when the first event rolls around in 2026.
