Domenicali discusses the possibility of a Grand Prix in Madrid

Invited to a round table at the Refectory of the Cathedral of Pamplona (Spain), Stefano Domenicali spoke about the possible holding of a Spanish Grand Prix on a circuit other than Barcelona in the years to come. The contract which links the Catalan route to the Formula 1 expires at the end of 2025 and Madrid has already positioned itself to take over.

“The most appropriate thing I can say at this moment is that, for the next few years, we have an agreement with the Barcelona circuit, with which we are, obviously, very happy, replied the president of F1 to our colleagues at MARCA. Madrid proposed a new project for us, interesting, which will have to be developed to understand if it can be sustainable from a technical and economic point of view. This shows that Formula 1 is gaining popularity in Spain, thanks to Fernando Alonso et Carlos Sainz. This will surely help to find an important and robust solution for the future of Formula 1 in this country. »

A popularity which, however, is not enough to host two events on Spanish soil. Domenicali always: “This is happening now in Italy (with Monza and Imola. Editor’s note), but we will see in the future. Seeing how we are growing around the world, having two Grands Prix in the same country is very difficult in Europe. In other parts of the world, like the United States, the dimensions are completely different. The reality of our growth tells us that it is very difficult, but we should never say never. »

IFEMA holds the rope

If the great Barnum of F1 were to settle down in the Spanish capital, it is a semi-urban route on the IFEMA sites which would hold more power than a return to the permanent circuit of Jarama, located to the north of Madrid, and which has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix nine times in the past. “The possibility that we studied is more that of IFEMA than of Jarama”, confirms the Italian leader. The latter has already had discussions with José Vincente de los Mozos, who will soon no longer be industrial director of Renault since the Diamond brand has announced that he will be replaced shortly by the man who currently occupies the role of Quality Director, the Frenchman Thierry Charvet. José Vincente de los Mozos also serves as President of the IFEMA Executive Committee since June 2020.

IFEMA, the Madrid Fair, is considered much more glamorous than the dilapidated Jarama for hosting F1. A major exhibition venue in the capital, this institution organizes 800 trade fairs, congresses and other events which attract around 4 million people per year to the 240 square meters of space, the 000 pavilions, the 13 congress centers and multiple spaces exteriors. It is also here that Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium is located, as well as the future stadium of the Merengue club. A nerve center which more coincides with the evolution of F2 and its new destinations which are Miami or Las Vegas. On the Jarama side, a renovation is necessary to bring the circuit up to current standards. A project for which the FIA ​​gave the green light in September with the plan to go from 1 to 3,8 kilometers. 

IFEMA seems even more ahead of the game as it will host the first official Formula 1 exhibition. From March 24 to July 16, 2023, F1 will launch “The Exhibition” with six specially designed rooms and whose ticket office is now open.

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