Ground Broken on New “Madring” Circuit, Opening 2026

Construction has begun on the new site of the Spanish Grand Prix, colloquially known as the “Madring”. The circuit will host its first race weekend in 2026. It replaces the longtime host of the Spanish GP, Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya, which has held the Grand Prix since 1991. With its completion, the Madring will become the first Formula One race circuit in a European capital city.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Friday, where Madrid Mayor Isabel Díaz Ayuso and other important attendees laid the first brick. Williams driver Carlos Sainz, who was born in Madrid, was named the official ambassador of the track, using his popularity in his home country to fuel excitement. The track is located five minutes from the Madrid International Airport and is accessible by public transport. This makes it one of the most centrally located race circuits on the Formula One race calendar. Formula One is also dedicated to bringing the sport to all of downtown Madrid, planning fan activation events, and driver interviews. 

Speaking of Sainz, his inaugural season at Williams seems to be looking up. He finished the last race in Saudi Arabia above his teammate Alex Albon for the second time this season, and contributed to the team’s best season start in recent memory. After a race-ending contact in Bahrain, Sainz was able to turn it around and qualify sixth and finish the race in eighth the very next week in Jeddah. On Sainz’s integration at Williams, Team Principal James Vowles said, “what he’s doing with working with our aerodynamicist team, with our race engineering team, with pretty much everyone throughout our organisation on finding those last milliseconds, that’s the reason why I wanted him as part of this team, and he’s delivering absolutely above my expectations.”

With a city so widely known for its love of sport, Formula One made a great decision moving the Spanish Grand Prix to Madrid. Culture, nightlife, arts, and history make the plateau town the perfect spot for the ever-growing motorsport community. On hosting a Grand Prix in his hometown, Sainz said, “Madrid is the best city in the world and the place I miss the most when I’m away. It was an easy decision to become Madring’s ambassador because I truly believe we can build the best circuit in the world. I have complete faith in Madrid, it’s unbeatable, and we’re going for it.”