Formula 1 has officially welcomed Madrid to its elite calendar with a spectacular announcement that will see the Spanish capital host a brand-new Grand Prix from 2026 to 2035. This isn’t just another race – it’s a complete game-changer that promises to become one of the most accessible and sustainable events on the entire F1 calendar!
The numbers are absolutely staggering. Built around the world-class IFEMA exhibition centre, this 5.47km circuit will feature 20 corners with a projected qualifying lap time of 1 minute 32 seconds. But here’s where it gets really exciting – the venue will host more than 110,000 fans per day initially, with plans to expand to 140,000 per day, making Madrid one of the largest venues in Formula 1!
What makes this deal truly revolutionary is its accessibility. Located just five minutes from Madrid-Barajas airport, an incredible 90% of fans will be able to reach the circuit via public transport. That’s unprecedented in modern F1! The Metro, train, and city lines will all connect directly to the venue, while fans staying locally will be within walking distance.
This announcement represents the culmination of massive governmental support, with backing from the Regional Government of Madrid, the Madrid City Council, and the Chamber of Commerce. The economic impact is projected at €450 million annually for the city’s economy, plus the creation of 8,200 jobs. Those are championship-level numbers that show just how seriously Madrid is taking this opportunity.
Sustainability is at the heart of this project, aligning perfectly with F1’s Net Zero Carbon 2030 commitment. IFEMA Madrid has already moved to 100% certified renewable energy across all exhibition halls and reduced carbon emissions significantly over the past five years. All temporary structures will use recyclable materials, making this potentially one of the greenest races on the calendar.
This move sees Imola’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix make way to keep F1’s calendar at the 24-race limit, but Madrid’s addition more than compensates for that loss. With Monaco moving to early June to avoid clashing with the Indianapolis 500, and Canada shifting to late May for better logistics, the 2026 calendar is being perfectly optimized. Get all the latest F1 calendar updates and circuit analysis at Supercars.com.GH – your ultimate motorsport destination!