F1 announce major change to race calendar with Grand Prix moved to new venue
An iconic grand prix is set to change.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Formula 1, Fernando Alonso
Alex Brotherton
Topics: Formula 1, Fernando Alonso
F1 have announced a huge change to the race calendar that will see an iconic Grand Prix change venue.
There are a number of races that are part of the F1 furniture, and the Spanish Grand Prix is certainly one of them.
First held in 1913, the Spanish Grand Prix is one of the oldest races on the calendar. It's been held in various locations across the country, but since 1991 the iconic Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been home to the race.
That looks set to change though, following a huge announcement by F1 bosses.
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From 2026 until at least 2035, the Spanish Grand Prix will be held in Madrid.
The race will take place on a new 5.47km (3.399-mile) circuit around the Ifema exhibition centre between the Spanish capital and Barajas airport.
The track will feature 20 corners and will incorporate both street-circuit and road-course sections.
F1 bosses says the new venue will initially accommodate 110,000 fans a day, with plans to increase capacity to 140,000. In doing so, the Spanish Grand Prix would become one of the best attended events on the F1 calendar.
Part of the reasoning for switching the race from Barcelona to Madrid appears to be environmental.
F1 chiefs say that the new venue will make the Spanish Grand Prix "one of the calendar's most accessible races," as 90% of fans will be able to travel to the race via public transport on metro and train lines.
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: "It’s great news for Formula 1 as it shows once again that there is strong appetite around the world for our sport."
Madrid last hosted Spain's grand prix in 1981, when the Jarama circuit - 20 miles north of the city - was home to the event. Only two Spanish drivers have ever won their country's grand prix, the last being Fernando Alonso in 2013.
The news doesn't necessarily mean Barcelona won't still have a grand prix in the future.
Domenicali said: "For the avoidance of doubt and to clarify here, the fact we are in Madrid is not excluding the fact we could stay in Barcelona for the future. Looking ahead, there are discussions in place to see if we can really extend our collaboration with Barcelona, with whom we have a very good relationship, for the future."