Madrid hosts its first Formula 1 Grand Prix, aiming to broaden the city's sports profile
Madrid staged a new Formula 1 street race, the first in the capital since 1981, with organizers hoping it will diversify the city’s sporting appeal.
Madrid welcomed its first Formula 1 Grand Prix, a street circuit that merges existing roads with newly constructed track segments, featuring the steeply banked Monumental turn. Luis Garcia Abad, former manager of Fernando Alonso, and Ifema’s Carlos Jimenez oversaw a €85 million track build and additional €65 million surrounding works, highlighting renewable-energy power and reuse of nearby structures. Drivers such as Charles Leclerc, Bruno del Pino and Freddie Slater praised the circuit’s challenging layout and limited overtaking opportunities.
Organisers aim to leverage the event to showcase Madrid beyond football, offering extensive VIP facilities and promoting the city’s gastronomy and nightlife. The race is part of a ten-year contract intended to position Madrid as a recurring fixture on the F1 calendar.
Why it matters
The race could expand Madrid’s international sports reputation beyond football and boost tourism and local businesses.
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