Why Spain has two F1 races in 2026 and what Madrid means for Barcelona

Formula 1 heads to Madrid for the first time as the Spanish Grand Prix takes place at the brand-new Madring circuit.

But F1 fans might be confused over the race weekend (11 to 13 September) with F1 having already raced in Spain this season - Lewis Hamilton won at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya back in June.

There is a simple explanation for why Spain has two races in 2026, and the arrival of Madrid doesn't mean Barcelona has disappeared from the F1 calendar for good.

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Why are there two Spanish F1 races in 2026?

Two races exist in Spain courtesy of an overlap between separate contracts. F1 announced in early 2024 that it would arrive in Madrid, and signed an agreement to host the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026 to 2035.

However, Barcelona already had a contract in effect with F1 until 2026, which was not voided by the separate agreement with Madrid. When naming each race, a clear distinction was made, to avoid confusion among F1 followers.

Madrid’s race is titled the Spanish Grand Prix, and will run for 10 successive seasons, while Barcelona’s is titled the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

In 2026, Barcelona held its race in June, and Madrid will do so this weekend in September. The same country hosting multiple F1 races does have precedent, with the United States hosting three.

Is Madrid replacing Barcelona on the F1 calendar?

Madrid is not replacing Barcelona on the F1 calendar, at least not entirely. While F1’s contract in Barcelona ran initially until 2026, a new agreement was reached in February.

As a result, Barcelona will remain on the F1 circuit until, at least, 2032. However, the race will not be held annually throughout that time.

Will Spain host two F1 2027 races?

Madrid remains on the calendar due to F1’s contract running annually from 2026 to 2035. Barcelona, however, will appear on a more intermittent schedule.

Madrid will appear for the next 10 consecutive Formula 1 seasons on the circuit, while Barcelona’s contract will see the race feature bi-yearly, every two years.

In 2027, Barcelona’s race will not appear on the F1 circuit, due to its alternate-year scheduling. Madrid’s race, the Spanish Grand Prix, will proceed as contracted.

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When is F1 returning to Barcelona?

With F1’s bi-yearly contract, Barcelona will next host its race in 2028, then again in 2030 and 2032.

The agreement also sees the Belgian Grand Prix appear rotationally in the F1 seasons that Barcelona does not appear. Therefore, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps will host races in 2027, 2029 and 2031.

It remains unclear as to whether Barcelona’s contract will be extended, or even amended to annual scheduling, beyond 2032, but it is certain to host a further four Formula 1 races in that period, the first of which arriving this Sunday.

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