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FORMULA ONE

Will the Madrid F1 race circuit pass by the Real Madrid training ground?

Formula 1 has announced a deal with IFEMA MADRID to host the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid from 2026 to 2035 on a new mixed urban/constructed circuit.

Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One proup, gives a press conference in Madrid on January 23, 2024 as F1 group announced that Madrid will stage a new Spanish Grand Prix from 2026. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
JAVIER SORIANOAFP

The Spanish Grand Prix is going to be held at a 5.47km circuit that will be built around the world-renowned IFEMA exhibition center. This circuit will consist of 20 corners, and it is estimated that the qualifying lap time will be around 1 minute and 32 seconds. F1 has stated that the circuit will have a paddock building, a new race tower, office spaces, VIP hospitality, and entertainment areas.

The projected circuit’s location is just five minutes away from the Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez airport, making it one of the most easily accessible races on the F1 calendar. You will be able to reach the circuit via metro, train, or city lines, and it is expected that 90% of the fans will travel to the paddock by public transport. If you are staying in local accommodation, the venue is just a short walk or bike ride away from you.

The Madrid race circuit surrounding

The Madrid-Barajas Airport Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez airport is just ten minutes from the trade fair venue and 12 km from the city center. The fairground is in the northeastern part of Madrid, surrounded by the Madrid neighborhoods of Hortaleza, Barajas (village), and Valdebebas. The last one sits north of the venue, and it looks like from the first race course design images, it will be used as part of the five-and-a-half kilometer circuit.

It seems that the authorities in Madrid have decided to make use of some unused public space that was previously used as a music festival site and still has some functional infrastructure. Additionally, there is a vacant piece of land nearby. The Formula One (F1) organization has committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2030, and IFEMA MADRID shares the same vision. As a result, they aim to make the Spanish Grand Prix one of the most environmentally friendly F1 events of the season.

It’s worth noting that the race track will be situated very close (a few hundred meters) to the Real Madrid football club’s training ground and the Alfredo di Stefano stadium. This presents a great opportunity for race visitors to explore the Real Madrid Sports City complex during their downtime. Additionally, there are other sports and leisure facilities nearby, such as the Club de Golf’s Olivar de la Hinojosa golf course and the Felipe IV City forest park.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, stated: “Modern Formula 1 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 One 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 in their plans for the event.”