The first vice-president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Carmelo Sanz de Barros, has indicated that there are still some important steps to be taken so that Madrid can host a Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2026 – something that has been an open secret in recent weeks gained strength. According to Diario AS and Motorsport, the Spanish manager has lowered expectations on the possibility of a race in the capital by ensuring that the Spanish Automobile Federation has not yet received a project to examine its feasibility, a step that is crucial for inclusion is a race on the highest race track.
Sanz de Barros points out that if one wants to build a career in any country, it is necessary that the country's highest authority first approves the feasibility of the project. “In the case of Spain [la máxima autoridad] It is the Spanish Automobile Association. And did you receive this project to study and concentrate today? No, he didn’t see it,” the manager explained during the FIA Awards gala.
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In addition, Sanz de Barros added that once the association analyzes and approves a preliminary project, a second fundamental step would still be missing, namely the ratification by the FIA of the inclusion of Madrid in the calendar, a procedure for which there is one Waiting list and that is not a given just because Montmeló, another Spanish circuit whose contract ends in 2026, may be removed from the calendar. “As a Spaniard born in Madrid, like many people, I want Formula 1 to return to Madrid, but there is a process to hold a Grand Prix in one place and I don't think that process is being followed, and there is “There were rumors that the process would continue,” the Madrid native clarified.
The first vice president of the FIA, Carmelo Sanz de Barros, in a file photo. GREGORY LENORMAND (AFP7 via Europa Press)
Finally, the manager went further to suggest that there could be political interests that could explain the leak of inaccurate information, a result of the tensions that exist in Spain between Barcelona and Madrid. “I read a lot about Madrid trying to rob Barcelona, kill Montmeló or something like that. Nothing yet. Can Spain have two races on the calendar? Yes, like the United States or Italy. It is possible? That's it, but so far with all the demand we have, I don't see that it will be easy,” said someone who had already accessed all the information about a possible circuit in Madrid a few months ago. “Up In this way, Sanz de Barros does not rule out that a Formula 1 race will soon take place on Madrid soil, but he highlights the slowness of the process so far and the contrast between reality and rumors.
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