FORMULA ONE is gearing up for a major change to its calendar by introducing a new Spanish Grand Prix circuit in Madrid, reports suggest.
Spain’s current F1 host Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya sees its licence to hold races expire in 2026.
Multiple reports from the country now suggest the track’s days on the calendar are numbered due to the introduction of a new venue, with F1 long been rumoured to be gearing up for a location change.
In December reports alleged how F1 had registered its trademarks with the name: “Formula 1 Madrid Grand Prix.”
That deal now appears to be on the horizon of being announced, according to a new report from AS.
The outlet says Madrid will host F1 from 2026 – the first time it would do so since its Jarama circuit in 1981 – with confirmation on the deal potentially coming as early as next week.
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Isabel Diaz Ayuso, president of the community of Madrid, revealed January 23 as the proposed date for the announcement.
At a New Year speech, Ayuso said: “On January 23 there will be a big announcement.”
The proposed semi-urban Madrid track will pass by the training ground of Real Madrid and will be located 7km away from the iconic Santiago Bernabeu.
Barcelona – which underwent a revamp ahead of the 2023 race – has hosted Spain’s F1 event since 1991.
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But after 2026 that status looks set to be revoked after F1 chief Stefano Domenicali suggested two races could not be held in the same country in Europe.
Domenicali told AS in June: “I don’t think in the medium term, after 2026, we will be in that situation of having two races in Europe in the same country unless something changes and is different.”
Elsewhere, reports suggest Japan may undergo a change of its own with Osaka wanting to host an F1 street race.
The 2024 F1 season’s first race at Bahrain will be on March 2, though McLaren has wasted no time in unveiling their livery for the new season.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
