Official: the Spanish Formula 1 GP in Madrid now has a date

The 2026 Formula 1 (F1) season will arrive with some important changes. In addition to the entry of General Motors—with Cadillac—on the starting grid, among others, one of the main novelties is the expansion of the calendar with a new race: the Spanish Grand Prix, set to be held in Madrid.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) wasted no time in announcing the official date for the new race. It will be held starting next season, specifically from September 11 to 13, 2026.

On January 23, 2024, F1 confirmed Madrid's entry in the calendar, remaining from the 2026 season to the 2035 season inclusive.

The circuit will be completely new, and will feature both urban and non-urban sections, as projected by the authorities of the capital of Spain, having a layout of about 3.4 miles (around 5.5 kilometers). It will be called Madring and it is estimated that each driver will complete a lap in 1 minute and 32 seconds.

Barcelona continues, for now

After Madrid's entry was confirmed and due to the debates and controversies among the authorities of the Spanish region of Catalonia, the possibility arose that Barcelona would disappear from the F1 calendar.

Authoritative voices—such as, for example, that of Spanish driver and two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso—refused to accept that Barcelona would be eliminated. "I don't think we are going to lose Barcelona. It's my opinion and my wish. It's good to have new circuits and for F1 to go to new countries, but at the same time we have to preserve traditional circuits, where the history of F1 has been written. I think F1 and Barcelona are very close," said Alonso.

However, as can be seen in the calendar for the 2026 season, Barcelona will continue in F1. For the time being, because in 2027 the contract linking them ends and its future is uncertain.