The Madrid project to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, with the construction of an urban circuit by Ifema and Valdebebas, has not yet been received by the automobile authorities in charge of giving its approval, as revealed by Carmelo Sanz de Barros, vice president of the FIA ??and president of the RACE (Royal Automobile Club of Spain).
“There is a process to establish a Grand Prix and I do not think it has been followed in this case. The sporting authority in motorsport in Spain is the federation, and to date the project has not been received. If it is considered valid and interesting, “It is channeled to the FIA ??to deal with homologations and certifications, especially with a semi-urban circuit. No one in the FIA ??has yet worked on this project,” explained the leader in statements collected for As and Motorsport at the awards gala of the highest motoring organization. .
“When it is approved and homologated, there is a tough battle to be included in the calendar. And finally, a commercial and rights agreement. Maybe we are starting with the roof,” added Sanz de Barros.
The Madrid political authorities, both the City Council and the Community, announced that the announcement of the Grand Prix dispute starting in 2026, to the detriment of Barcelona, ??was imminent. “I’ve also been reading a lot about Madrid trying to rob Barcelona, ??trying to kill Montmeló, or things like that. So far, nothing. And that’s another thing we have to evaluate later. Can Spain have two races in the calendar? Yes, we have three in the United States, we have two in Italy. It is not easy, but it is possible,” he indicated about the coexistence of Barcelona and Madrid in Formula 1.
Despite stopping the approval of the GP, Sanz de Barros did not hide that his wish “as a Spaniard born in Madrid” is for the great circus to return to the Spanish capital after the last edition held in 1981 on the old Jarama circuit. “Having Formula 1 in Madrid is a wish of many people, but I think that, and that is the risk with these things, there is a process,” he insisted.
The formula that Madrid has presented to convince the managing company of the great circus, Liberty Media, is similar to the proposals of Miami and Mexico, in addition to proposing a vast festive and gastronomic program around the automobile event.
Despite not having approval from the FIA, Madrid could have approval from Formula 1, in this case from Liberty Media, which is the other party involved in managing the Grand Prix calendar, last season with a total of 23 races.