Iconic Spanish Grand Prix MOVED amid fears for Barcelona track’s future with new F1 race on stunning circuit

FORMULA ONE chiefs have signed a ten-year deal with Madrid to become the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix.

It will replace Barcelona’s out-dated Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on the schedule, which has been a key venue for the sport since 1991.

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Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya faces an uncertain future[/caption]

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The drivers will race next to Real Madrid’s training base[/caption]

Madrid’s track will be built around the Ifema exhibition centre

F1 will return to the capital from the 2026 season for the first time since 1981’s race at Circuito del Jarama.

Spain’s new circuit will mix street and non-street sections.

F1 chiefs officially revealed that the 5.47km circuit will feature 20 corners and it is going to join the calendar on a long-term deal until 2035.

It will be located near Barajas airport and next to Real Madrid‘s training base Ciudad in the suburb of Valdebebas.

The track will be built around the Ifema exhibition centre.

And it will incorporate a premium paddock building with a new race tower, office spaces, VIP hospitality and entertainment areas.

The venue will have capacity to host more than 110,000 fans per day across grandstands, general admission, and VIP hospitality.

There are also plans to increase the capacity to 140,000 per day, making Madrid one of the largest venues on the F1 calendar.

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The track is also committed to reaching “Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and plans to be the most sustainable event of the season”.

All buildings will use renewable energy and any temporary structure will be made of recyclable materials.

Stefano Domenicali, F1 president, said: “Madrid is an incredible city with amazing sporting and cultural heritage, and today’s announcement begins an exciting new chapter for F1 in Spain.

“I would like to thank the team at Ifema Madrid, the Regional Government of Madrid and the city’s Mayor for putting together a fantastic proposal.

“It truly epitomises Formula One’s vision to create a multi-day spectacle of sport and entertainment that delivers maximum value for fans and embraces innovation and sustainability.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, added: “Modern F1 cars racing on a new circuit in the Spanish capital city of Madrid is an enticing prospect.

“As is customary, the proposed circuit will be subject to FIA homologation and safety checks and calendar approval by the World Motor Sport Council.”

Meanwhile, Barcelona track bosses are still hopeful of holding F1 races at their venue in the future, alongside the Spanish GP.

Drivers will go past Real Madrid’s training base and Ifema exhibition centre

Coming up next season…

Max Verstappen lifted his third World Championship title in 2023 as he won 19 out of 22 races.

Next season gets underway in Bahrain on March 2.

McLaren beat their rivals to revealing their livery for 2024 with a bold new design.

And Mercedes have re-hired technical director James Allison, who oversaw Lewis Hamilton win five World Championships as they look to close the gap on Red Bull.

Hamilton, 39, has no plans to retire just yet, having signed a £100m contract in August that sees his spot on the grid nailed for both the 2024 and 2025 season.