Madrid, ally or future replacement for Barcelona in the calendar?

Carlos Sainz et Fernando Alonso Will they each have a Grand Prix at home? In 2026, yes, but perhaps not beyond. The first, from Madrid, is the designated ambassador of the "Madring", which will replace Imola at F1 calendar in 2026He already took part in a demonstration on the site of the future circuit this Saturday, June 7, at the wheel of a Williams FW45 from 2023.

Alonso, for his part, was officially named ambassador of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya just two weeks ago. This track is the venue for the 1991 Spanish Grand Prix, but also the place where he won his 32nd – and so far, last – victory in Formula 1In 2013. « We can't lose Barcelona, he recently warned. It's great to have new countries and new circuits interested in F1. But we also need to keep the traditional circuits, where the history of F1 was written. Formula 1 is very linked to Barcelona; we've been testing here for decades.".

With Madrid's arrival on the calendar, the historic Barcelona round is more than threatened. It has already lost the name "Spanish Grand Prix" (its name remains to be confirmed), and only has a contract for 2026. Faced with this new feature, Alonso is championing the renovation of the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. "I think the circuit has made some good changes to maintain the standards of Formula 1. Over the last few years, the whole paddock, the grandstands, everything has moved to a higher level."

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Hosting two F1 Grand Prix is ​​not new for Spain

Fernando Alonso has already had a calendar with two races in Spain. Between 2008 and 2012, the Valencia street circuit hosted the European Grand Prix, in addition to the Barcelona round. The Oviedo native won the last edition, leading a royal trio, ahead of Kimi Räikkönen and Michael Schumacher, for his final podium.

In the 1990s, Spain had already hosted another European Grand Prix twice, at Jerez. This circuit was notably the scene of an exceptional edition in 1997, where three drivers (Villeneuve, Schumacher and Frentzen) set exactly the same time in qualifying. Starting from pole because he had set his time first, the Canadian would go on to clinch his first and only world championship title the following day.

Scheduled for June 14 and September 13 respectively, neither Barcelona nor Madrid will close the 2026 season. This did not prevent Manuel Aviñó, the president of the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation, from looking forward to his country's place on the calendar. "By 2026, Spain will be the only country, along with the United States, to host two Formula 1 races.". Before losing its historic track in 2027? As the disappearance of Imola demonstrates, the historic nature of a Grand Prix in no way guarantees its place on the calendar.

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