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City of Madrid Has Officially Expressed Interest in Hosting a Formula 1 Race, Says F1 CEO

Is there really room on the F1 calendar for two Spanish Grand Prix? Perhaps, but then again, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya's contract with Formula 1 is set to expire in 2026, and if it’s not renewed, well, that could open up a wide range of possibilities.
2022 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 7 photos
Photo: LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
2022 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya2022 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya2022 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya2022 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya2022 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya2022 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
One very interesting proposal comes from the city of Madrid, the capital of Spain. City officials believe that Madrid could “offer a great sporting and entertainment spectacle,” and that a race there would benefit everybody involved.

According to F1 CEO and president, Stefano Domenicali, it was Enrique Lopez himself, a cabinet minister for the Community of Madrid, who reached out in a letter earlier this week, expressing the Spanish capital’s commitment to a grand prix project, reports Motorsport.

“It is my pleasure to write to you on behalf of the government of the Community of Madrid to express our interest in the development of a Formula 1 grand prix in Madrid,” said Lopez.

“I believe that holding in Madrid a motor racing event, which is one of the most exciting sporting phenomena of our time, would be a success for all the professionals, institutions and companies involved in the development of Formula 1. Of course, it would also be a satisfaction for the whole region and its citizens. That is why the Government of the Community of Madrid has the greatest interest in making it possible.”

“In short, I would like to confirm our commitment to you and to this project, as well as our willingness to sign the appropriate agreements to promote the race and offer a great sporting and entertainment spectacle. We are ready to work with you and your team to bring Formula 1 to Madrid.”

Madrid hasn’t hosted a Formula 1 race since 1981 at the Jarama track, north of the city. However, that circuit would need to be upgraded as it currently does not meet F1 safety standards.

It’s also worth noting that with the addition of events in South Africa, Qatar and Las Vegas next year, F1 will have reached the limit of 24 races permitted under the Concorde Agreement.
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About the author: Sergiu Tudose
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Sergiu got to experience both American and European car "scenes" at an early age (his father drove a Ford Fiesta XR2 supermini in the 80s). After spending over 15 years at local and international auto publications, he's starting to appreciate comfort behind the wheel more than raw power and acceleration.
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