Addition of Madrid makes it two Grand Prix races in Spain in 2026

The Grand Prix on the streets of Madrid - MadRing to be precise - becomes the main addition to the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship calendar and marks the first new circuit to join since Las Vegas in 2023.

Madrid’s inclusion means Spain will host two Grand Prix events in 2026, with the traditional race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya remaining in place from 12–14 June. The MADRING event will also serve as the 16th round of the season, taking place after the summer break and following the Imola round.

The project has been spearheaded by IFEMA Madrid, whose chairman, José Vicente de los Mozo,s welcomed the announcement.

“It’s thrilling to see Madrid listed on the official Formula 1 calendar for 2026 as the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix,” de los Mozos said. “It’s a dream realized after years of hard work led by IFEMA MADRID. Thanks to everyone’s support, the ambitious milestones we set are being met, and we are fully confident that we will deliver the best event of next season.”

Daniel Martínez, Executive Vice President of IFEMA Madrid, added: “Once again, the entire IFEMA team has shown that we are capable of meeting Madrid’s great ambitions. Construction of MADRING is progressing steadily, and our organization is already prepared to make the 2026 Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix the biggest sporting event of the year — and the best platform to showcase Madrid’s excellence to the world.”

“For Spain, it’s a source of pride, and for those of us involved in this project, it’s a dream come true,” García Abad said. “Not long ago, it was very difficult to even attend a race, and now having two Grands Prix is incredibly important. In Madrid’s case, after 45 years without F1, we’ve aimed to design a circuit that is appealing for the drivers and exciting for the fans.”

Madrid’s homegrown F1 star Carlos Sainz gave the circuit its first public moment last weekend, completing a demonstration run on part of the urban layout in front of 80,000 fans.

For Sainz, the event held personal significance: “It’s a dream come true for me to be back in Madrid, driving the FW45 around the streets I grew up in. I’ll never forget driving this car in front of a crowd of 80,000 people from all over the world.

"It’s been a super emotional day, but it’s just a taste of what will be coming in 2026. Next year will be huge for Madrid as it becomes part of F1 and I can't wait!” added the local hero.

The demonstration took place just days after the FIA confirmed Madrid as the host city for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, which will run from 11–13 September on the newly constructed 5.4km MadRing layout. It will mark the return of Formula 1 to the Spanish capital for the first time since 1981.

The 2026 season will see sweeping regulatory changes, including the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel and the removal of the DRS system. The sport will also expand to 11 teams and 22 drivers.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali welcomed the addition of Madrid in what promises to be a landmark year: “We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula 1 grid.”

The Madrid street circuit's signature section, La Monumental — named after Madrid’s famous Las Ventas bullring — will include a 24% banked curve over half a kilometre in length. Organisers estimate six seconds of sustained cornering through this section in front of a 45,000-capacity grandstand.

The new circuit will also host the season finale of the Formula 3 Championship and the penultimate round of Formula 2 during the same September weekend.

Madrid will be the only European capital on the 2026 calendar with a Grand Prix. The event infrastructure will benefit from direct metro access via the Feria de Madrid station and proximity to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, which is just five minutes from the venue.

Construction began in April and organisers say the project remains on track for its debut in 460 days. The event is expected to remain a long-term fixture on the Formula 1 calendar, with a minimum 10-year agreement in place.