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Revolution in racing: Spanish GP dares to move to Madrid!
Formula 1 announces a new Grand Prix in Madrid in 2026; Barcelona is losing its tradition as a venue.
Revolution in racing: Spanish GP dares to move to Madrid!
Formula 1 caused a stir with its latest announcement: the Spanish Grand Prix, which has traditionally been held in Barcelona since 1991, will no longer take place there from the 2026 season. Instead, the race moves to the new Madring (Circuito de Madring) in Madrid. This marks the first time since 1990 that the Spanish Grand Prix will not be held in the Catalan capital, as Laola1 reported.
The move to Madrid is part of the revised racing calendar published for the 2026 season, comprising a total of 24 races. The FIA and Formula 1 have announced that the calendar will start with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6th to 8th, 2026 and the season will end at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from December 4th to 6th. The Madrid race will remain on the F1 calendar for at least the next ten years as the contract with the Circuit de Catalunya expires after 2026.
Changes to the Spain racing format
A total of two races will be held in Spain in 2026. The race already planned in Montmelo will be called the “Grand Prix de Barcelona-Catalunya” next year. In the past, two Grands Prix took place in different cities in 1994 and 1997: Barcelona and Jerez. A race was also held in Valencia from 2008 to 2012.
Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has recently spoken out in favor of another race in Barcelona, fueling discussion about relocating the Grand Prix. Despite the news, interest in the races in Spain remains high.
Sustainability and innovations in technology
Formula 1 is also preparing for a change in technology. From 2026, new technical regulations and 100% advanced sustainable fuels will be introduced. This development is part of the effort to create a carbon-neutral future, such as Motorsport.com describes. However, this challenge is complex as fuel suppliers struggle to adapt combustion characteristics to the specific requirements of Formula 1.
The transition to sustainable fuels is not without challenges. In particular, the use of ethanol as a biocomponent has proven to be more difficult than initially assumed. However, the motorsport innovation platform is seen as key to testing new fuels that could also find application in the automotive industry in the near future.
The introduction of these sustainable solutions is supported by companies like Shell, which are using modern technologies and digital simulations to drive the development of new fuels. In 2021, over a million simulations were carried out to optimize the properties of new fuels and adapt them to the high requirements of Formula 1.
Overall, the 2026 season marks a significant turning point in the history of Formula 1, associated not only with the relocation of the Spanish Grand Prix, but also with a pioneering switch to sustainable fuels. The F1 community will look forward to an exciting and innovative time as they venture across five of the seven continents, as outlined in the calendar launch Formula 1 is held.