[RahulNagaraj]

Spain's capital, Madrid, will host the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix from the 2026 season onwards. The new race track at Madrid will be a mix of street and non-street sections, measuring 3.39 miles (5.45 km) and having 20 corners. F1 estimates a qualifying lap time of 1:32 minutes.

The provisional map partly covers the expansive IFEMA exhibition centre grounds, which will make the Madrid GP one of the largest venues on the calendar, capable of accommodating up to 1,40,000 fans per day during a race weekend. IFEMA claims to already run on 100% renewable energy and expects to do the same even while hosting the F1 races.



The new race venue is said to have signed a long 10-year contract with F1. Also, unlike the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, the Madrid race track is just 5 minutes from the airport and is easily accessible via public transportation. F1 estimates that 90% of the spectators will be able to travel to the event via public transport like bus, train or subway.

With the confirmation of the Madrid GP, the future of the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit does become uncertain. F1 is yet to ascertain whether it will have two races in Spain or cancel the Barcelona venue altogether.

Link to Team-BHP news

[ds.raikkonen]

This circuit looks like a chicane fest, another weird layout like the old Singapore GP track, and a slow one at that..perhaps amazing circuits like Jerez/Valencia could have been homologated for F1.
Also similar to Singapore/Las Vegas/Miami, F1 just wants the high profile audience gracing the races, not the actual fans

[aston_martyr]

I'm not so sure of the layout, does seem dull like singapore. Barcelona used to be like a mid season benchmark, as most teams use it to verify or bring lot of upgrades. Not sure how that strategy would pan out.
However the only question i need answered is will Fernando continue until 2026 to actually race here? I certainly do hope so.

[volkman10]

This is what Madrid's banked curve is going to be like, there are still 2 or 3 surprises to be revealed.

[Thalla]

I don't understand the point of adding more and more street races in the F1 calendar.

[schumi_pete]

Liberty media are going to kill the golden goose soon with all these street circuits.

Pretty soon, all the great racing venues will be consigned to the history bin and all the races will be street circuits in European capitals.

[V0id2003]

Lets hope Alonso will now have more motivation to continue farther. He is the only reason I still watch F1

[ds.raikkonen]

Originally Posted by volkman10

This is what Madrid's banked curve is going to be like

Let's hope high speed banked surface does not lead to another '05 Indianapolis type incident. When F1 cars can navigate a track like Silverstone/Suzuka, why to have a NASCAR style banked track?!

[kaak009]

I truly am disappointed that we haven’t got any German, Portugal, Indian and South Africa GP on the calendar. Its a sin we are being forced to new street tracks when the legendary ones are being unused. And all this on pretext of making F1 accessible to viewers.

Now we even have the news Chicago GP coming around in no time. When will fia and Liberty understand what fans want

The sole reason I personally have of watching f1 is Goatlonso nothing else

[kaak009]

Originally Posted by schumi_pete

Liberty media are going to kill the golden goose soon with all these street circuits.

Pretty soon, all the great racing venues will be consigned to the history bin and all the races will be street circuits in European capitals.

I never will be able to understand why cant they listen to fans ever? Be it sprints, legendary circuits or say small v10 roaring cars. I understand money is integral part but not on the expense of fun which is why f1 is a sports. Last year too we had news of Spa being axed! Like how can anyone in their right mind can axe Spa!