Fresh off Formula 1's announcement that Madrid will host of the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, Formula 1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, has suggested that Barcelona, the traditional home of the race, may not be out of the F1 picture just yet.
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"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," Domenicali said. "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."
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been the home of the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991, but on Tuesday it was announced that the race would return to Madrid after 45 years, with the capitol city set to host from 2026 until 2035.
Domenicali said the long-term deal for Madrid allows it to invest heavily in the large event, with a promise of creating a capacity of 140,000 by the mid-point of the ten-year contract.
While track designer Jarno Zaffelli said they're still working on the design, the new 3.3-mile Madrid circuit is expected to feature 20 corners, two tunnels and four passing zones. The F1 cars are expected to reach a top speed of 186 mph and the qualifying lap is expected to be 1:32.
"It's great news for Formula 1 as it shows once again that there is strong appetite around the world for our sport," Domenicali said. "It shows that at a moment where Europe is perceived to be a place that is not ready to invest in our sport, Madrid and others are showing it is ... Madrid is an incredible city with amazing sporting and cultural heritage and today's announcement begins an exciting new chapter for F1 in Spain."
Over the last year, F1 has seen a popularity boom in Spain.
According to formula1.com, the total TV audience in Spain in 2023 was 77 million, an average of 3.5 million per race, which is an 84 percent increase versus the previous year. Last year, more than 10 million Spaniards tuned in for the Spanish Grand Prix.
"Spain was a market that just a couple of years ago, was not in the center of our eyes," Domenicali said. "Now it is very important. We signed a new deal with Spanish broadcaster DAZN until at least the end of 2026."
The last F1 race in the Madrid region was in 1981 at the Jarama circuit. The Jerez de la Frontera track in southern Spain hosted races from 1986-90, and in 1994 and 1997. Spain also hosted the European Grand Prix on a street circuit in Valencia from 2008-12.
The Spanish Grand Prix was first held in 1913 and the series currently has two Spanish drivers — two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso, and Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz.
