As Formula 1‘s calendar continues to grow with each passing year, officials in Madrid are confident of bringing a second race to Spain in the near future.
Next season’s calendar will feature a record-breaking 24 races, with the likes of China and Qatar returning, while Las Vegas will host a race for the first time since 1982.
There’s no shortage of places interested in hosting F1 races in the future, including a potential return to Kyalami, South Africa, and Madrid have made it clear they want a second event in Spain.
“The intention is there and while it’s true that it’s still very early, but it isn’t a castle in the air,” Manuel Avino, President of the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation, told MARCA.
“There is a will. There is a project. It’s possible and I believe that it can be achieved and that it will be achieved.
“I want to make it very clear that it is not a maneuver to take F1 away from Barcelona and bring it to Madrid. Nothing like that. It is about getting two races on the calendar, as there were back in the day. There are ways to get a European GP in Madrid, for example.
“Spain now has weight and influence in the FIA in order to try and have two races, for Barcelona to continue – the contract ends at the end of 2025 – and for Madrid to be on the calendar, which is expanding.”
Madrid’s president approves F1 return
Madrid has hosted an F1 race on nine previous occasions at the Jarama track north of the city.
The last event dates back to 1981, but with F1 warning promoters over unacceptable traffic and organisational issues at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a return to the city may not be out of the question.
“There is a will and it’s true that everything is very much at the beginning, but the intention is that Formula 1 comes to Madrid,” said Community of Madrid President Isabel Diaz Ayuso.
“[Whether it’s Jarama or Item] is up to the experts to decide, but ether way, the Community of Madrid will go hand in hand with the project to see F1 return.”
