“The biggest event Madrid has ever held”: behind the Madring project

Spain will host two Grand Prix in 2026, and the newcomer hopes to establish itself as a must-see event from its inaugural edition. Just over a year away from the first race at the "Madring," its owner, Luis García Abad, outlines what makes his bid unique.

“Several years ago, in the Singapore Paddock, José Vicente de los Mozos asked me: 'Why don't we bring back the F1 in Madrid?', he says. The first is a former manager of Fernando Alonso, the second president of IFEMA, a consortium promoting events in the Madrid region.

More than 12m³ of land has already been removed from the construction site of the circuit, which its promoter does not, however, want to describe as" urban ", passing only through "a street, which is not an inhabited street. » The Spaniard finally highlights the notable points of the trail : “an 8% climb then an immediate 5% descent, followed by a 24m curved turn at 500%, the longest in the world. »

"The real goal is for spectators to walk through our streets."

The Madrid GP's bid's downside: its competition. At a time when "vintage" Grand Prix races are gradually being replaced by circuits in the Middle East or the United States, it's difficult to imagine a new European destination, especially in a country that already hosts a race in Barcelona.

"We had the advantage of being in a city like Madrid, of being the first Grand Prix in the heart of one of the main European capitals.", explains de los Mozos. While the Barcelona Grand Prix circuit is actually 25km from the city, the Madrid circuit is located on its streets.

"We didn't have a circuit, but we had 2000m² with WIFI. We offer a trip to a capital city, accessible by metro, train, foot, or bike. People want an experience, not to spend three hours in traffic." An argument that convinced Stefano Domenicalli, CEO of F1.

"He told me he didn't need another ride in Europe. The only thing he didn't have was a ride connected to train stations and close to an airport." explains the former leader of Renault Spain, betraying the more commercial than sporting interest of the meeting: "The excuse is that they come to the GP, but the real objective is for spectators to walk our streets and enjoy our hotels."

With nearly 350 spectators estimated for the weekend of September 000-11, 13, gathered in the Madrid metropolitan area, García Abad therefore expects enormous economic benefits: "F1 is expected to add no less than 500 million euros to Madrid's GDP. » The coffers will be filled, but at what cost?

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