The FIA has given the OK, on the plan, to the future Madrid F1 Circuit.
The Madrid Formula 1 Circuit, projected in the vicinity of IFEMA, has already received the approval of the FIA on the plan. It is only a first ‘technical’ step, after the conversations between the Community of Madrid and Formula 1, so that the race becomes a reality from 2027. The news comes in the middle of the Spanish GP, where the drivers were asked about this new scenario.
Both Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, used to racing in Barcelona in front of the Spanish public, have been very correct in sharing their opinion on the possibility of the premier class moving to Madrid in the coming seasons. “I don’t know how the subject or the interest is. I am comfortable in Barcelona and I would also be happy in Madrid,” Fernando said in an interview with TVE.
To which Sainz added at an official FIA press conference that: “I have heard about the project and all that. I can only say that I will do everything possible so that there continues to be a Spanish Grand Prix, regardless of where it takes place. I think Barcelona is doing a great job and I have enjoyed coming to Barcelona for many years.”
“Obviously I still have to go a bit more into the details of what’s going on in Madrid and what they’re planning to do there, but I’ll just be supporting the Spanish Grand Prix, regardless of where it is, and helping and offering my help for what whatever they need, no matter the track layout, or whatever, and I’ll support it,” he added.
One of the critics of the possibility of the future Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix being held in Madrid has been, curiously, Lewis Hamilton. The seven times world champion prefers the classic and permanent circuits, such as Barcelona, Hungary and Silverstone… and the fact that there is talk of a new urban circuit reminds him of Valencia, that he did not like it at all.
“I don’t think we want to lose Barcelona. I really like this city and this is one of the classic circuits, which I have always enjoyed,” Hamilton said before the start of the activity in Barcelona. “Hopefully we can follow each other more closely this year, and the last two corners will be better without the ‘Mickey Mouse’ chicane we had so far.”
“I hope that the new project in Madrid will not be like the one in Valencia, a circuit where it was not fun to drive. It is important that we keep classic circuits, at least the ones that give us great races. Budapest and Silverstone are also spectacular and must continue. You have to hold on to the pillars of this sport,” he said.
Despite Hamilton’s comments, it is no secret that Formula 1 currently tends to choose urban circuits, with the aim of creating an experience closer to the spectator, bringing the show to the city. Let’s not forget the introduction of tests such as Miami, Las Vegas, Jeddah… and it seems that the tone from now on will be this.
Madrid is on the right track: OK from the FIA
According to the information published by the newspaper MARCA on Saturday of the Spanish Grand Prix, the IFEMA circuit has received the OK from the FIA to the one projected as the final version of the urban layout, which would be around five kilometers long.
The next review would be ‘in situ’, since each street included in the layout must be analyzed to see if the race is viable in terms of safety. In addition, there are elements that need further analysis, such as a Monaco-style tunnel, a bridged area, and an artificially banked corner. This is all part of the proposal.
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But this is the technical side, after – and in parallel – the talks with F1 and Liberty Media, the owner of the commercial rights of the premier category of motorsport, will take place. The CEO and President of the category, Stefano Domenicali, has also spoken about the possible Madrid Grand Prix in an interview with AS:
“It is true that Madrid wants to organize a grand prix. It is a fact. It is something super positive for the current situation in F1. But we have contracts to respect. In the next… I don’t want to say months, we will make the right decision for the good of the sport,” he said.
