Spanish GP to move to Madrid in 2026 - what does it mean for Barcelona?
The Spanish Grand Prix will initially be held in the Spanish capital until 2035 and will take place around a hybrid track featuring “street and non-street sections”.
The 5.47km circuit, located around the IFEMA exhibition centre between the city centre and Barajas airport, will be “one of the calendar’s most accessible races”, according to F1.
It will mark the first time since 1981 that Madrid has staged a grand prix, with the Spanish Grand Prix previously being held at the Jarama circuit.
"Madrid is an incredible city with amazing sporting and cultural heritage and today's announcement begins an exciting new chapter for F1 in Spain,” F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said on Tuesday.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: “Modern F1 cars racing on a new circuit in the Spanish capital city of Madrid is an enticing prospect.
“As we build towards the introduction of the FIA 2026 Formula 1 regulations, which have been framed with net-zero carbon by 2030 in mind, it is pleasing to see that the local organisers have placed a sharp focus on environmental sustainability.”
What happens to Barcelona?
The Spanish Grand Prix has been held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya since 1991.
Barcelona will continue to stage a race until at least 2026, when its current contract expires, meaning there will be two grands prix in Spain for at least one year.
F1 remains in discussions with Barcelona about the future and Madrid’s addition to the calendar does not necessarily mean the end for the Catalonia race.
At this stage it has not been ruled out that both Spanish cities could host a race on the calendar in future seasons.
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
