(Motorsports news) Last week, there were rumors that talks with the F1 commercial rights holder about a new race around the Spanish capital in 2026 were almost finished. The event is scheduled to happen near the city’s Madrid-Barajas International Airport, which is located northeast of the IFEMA convention center. The start-finish straight and paddock complex location for the 5km parkland circuit would be the IFEMA pavilion complex and fairgrounds, which are frequently used for conferences and fairs.
However, in spite of the race’s details being leaked to the press, the FIA has taken steps to downplay any indication that approval is imminent. This is particularly true because the governing body has not yet been assigned the responsibility of completing a number of crucial components that must be accepted in order for any race project to be authorized.
Speaking to a select group of media, including Motorsport.com, Carmelo Sanz de Barros, the president of the FIA and the Spanish automobile federation (Real Automóvil Club de España), expressed his desire to see Formula One return to Madrid, but he acknowledged that many issues needed to be resolved.
“There is a clear process to have a grand prix in a place, and I don’t think that the process is being followed based on what you read,” he stated. “The procedure begins with the Spanish Automobile Federation because you have to approach them whenever a new competition wishes to take place in a nation. “So, has the Spanish Federation been given this project to be examined, researched, and targeted as of right now? They haven’t witnessed it, no.
This particular action has not yet taken place. “After the Spanish Federation determines that this idea is legitimate and piques their attention, where do they direct it? To the FIA, as they are required to certify it. The first thing you need to do if they are discussing a semi-urban circuit is homologate and certify it, among other things.
The FIA has not received anything if the Spanish Federation has not received anything, which implies that they have not sent anything to the FIA. Therefore, no one at the FIA has been working on the project that has been in the news recently up to this point.” The race can only be added to the calendar once the aforementioned procedures with the FIA and its national sporting body are finished.
De Barros added that he is concerned about some political scheming regarding the press leaks, but he and the FIA are unafraid to move on with assessing the plans once they are received. “I’ve also read a lot about Madrid attempting to assassinate Montmelo and pilfer from Barcelona, among other things and unquestionably, I believe that the positioning is incorrect,” he declared
“This has most likely been impacted by the current political climate, which pits Madrid against Barcelona. “In addition, and I’m not sure whether this was disclosed, but we had some experience in the past trying to bring the Olympic Games of 2030 to Madrid, and that didn’t work out because of leaks and a lack of procedural adherence.
“I would love to have a race in Madrid, therefore I hope that this is not the case [with the event in Madrid]. But is this the only F1 in Madrid project that I know of? No, I am aware of two more at least.”
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