The new Formula 1 circuit in Madrid would have already received initial approval from the FIA
The Spanish capital takes one step closer to realizing its dream of hosting Formula 1. However, there are still three points to be considered for level 1 certification. Liberty Media is rubbing its hands at the competition between Madrid and Barcelona.
Madrid continues to make progress in its quest to host Formula 1, with the IFEMA circuit receiving initial approval from the FIA, according to sources from the Spanish newspaper Marca. The final version of the track in the Spanish capital, approximately 5 kilometers long and located in an urban setting, has been reviewed and validated on paper by the FIA. This design differs from the initial versions that had been disclosed.
The final certification to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix will require an on-site inspection, evaluating each street, each turn, and the safety measures, with the FIA technical team still needing to approve three specific points of the track, necessitating a second visit and a more detailed analysis: a tunnel of similar size to the one in Monaco, an area with a bridge, and an artificial inclined curve.
Once this step is completed, the Liberty Media promoter and Formula 1 will make the final decision to include or not include the “1 plus” approved circuit in the 2026 calendar, taking into account the costs. New urban circuits generally require investments of at least 50 million euros, with an increase of 5 million every year. Another factor that can influence the price is the possibility for Liberty Media to reduce costs if the company has access to the construction and management of new hotels near the circuit, such as those planned in the MadCool area near IFEMA.
Madrid vs Barcelona
According to sources close to the matter cited by Marca, Liberty Media is currently engaged in dual-sided negotiations because Barcelona wishes to keep its major event on the Formula 1 calendar. However, Madrid is also very interested in obtaining the rights to Formula 1, especially since the Community of Madrid and the city council support this initiative.
This competition between the two cities is generating excitement among developers, but the Community of Madrid maintains that it will not offer more than the 6 million euros currently offered by Barcelona as a sponsor of the Circuit.
The construction of the Formula 1 circuit in Madrid would require an investment of approximately €200 million, in addition to the rental costs. However, the team led by José Vicente de los Mozos, former president of Renault and current head of IFEMA, claims to have the necessary funds to finance this project, thanks in particular to foreign investments. Despite the proximity of the circuit to the Real Madrid stadium, the football club declares that it is not involved in this expanding project.
