The concept for Madrid’s new Formula 1 grand prix originated during a conversation at the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix between Luis García Abad, longtime manager of Fernando Alonso, and José Vicente de los Mozos, current president of IFEMA and former Renault executive, according to reports detailing the event’s genesis.
The Singapore Blueprint and the 2017 Genesis
During the race weekend on September 17, 2017, at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton claimed victory ahead of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. Against the backdrop of McLaren parting ways with Honda engines and Carlos Sainz announcing a move to Renault, Abad and de los Mozos evaluated the striking urban layout of Singapore’s night race. Inaugurated in 2008 as F1’s first-ever night race, the Singapore circuit relies on approximately 1,600 specialized halogen lighting towers to illuminate public roads winding past iconic waterfront architecture, skyscrapers, and grandstands.
Political Alignment and Corporate Infrastructure
The conceptual framework transitioned into a formal initiative following leadership shifts in both motorsport and regional governance. Stefano Domenicalli assumed the role of President and CEO of Formula 1, succeeding Chase Carey. Domenicalli, who previously managed Scuderia Ferrari during Alonso’s tenure with the Italian team, maintained a strong professional relationship with García Abad. Simultaneously, the political backing solidified after Isabel Díaz Ayuso took office as President of the Community of Madrid in 2019. By 2022, IFEMA—acting as the project’s primary catalyst—began assembling a specialized team of paddock veterans independent of administrative politics, bringing in García Abad to leverage his extensive motorsport network.
Design, Budget, and Venue Specifications
Rather than relying on traditional permanent facilities, organizers pursued a semi-urban layout to align with Liberty Media’s modern entertainment-driven model, mirroring street circuits in Baku, Jeddah, Miami, and Las Vegas. IFEMA conducted a public tender for the track design, awarding the project to Italian firm Dromo, a track construction and rehabilitation specialist. The precise, centimeter-level track design was finalized by the spring of 2023.
Official figures from Madring indicate that the total infrastructure budget is set at 83 million euros, with 45 million specifically allocated to urbanizing the previously undeveloped grounds near the Valdebebas neighborhood, adjacent to Real Madrid’s Alfredo di Stefano Stadium and the former site of the Mad Cool festival. The investment funds essential municipal infrastructure, including sewage, electrical grids, and water systems required to support a temporary motorsport paddock.
Official Calendar Integration and Commercial Terms
On January 24, 2024, Formula 1 officially confirmed that Madrid will host a grand prix on the world championship calendar from 2026 through 2035, securing the official title of the Spanish Grand Prix—a designation previously held by the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló. While the exact annual hosting fee paid to Formula 1 remains confidential, comparable agreements for emerging host cities such as Jeddah, Las Vegas, and Lusail range between tens of millions of euros annually.
What Comes Next
Preparations continue at the Valdebebas venue ahead of the official track debut, with construction milestones and organizational updates scheduled as the 2026 race calendar approaches. Formula 1 and local organizers will release further ticketing and logistical schedules through official channels.
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