Mayor Plays Down Rumours Of 2026 Madrid GP Problems

Madrid Race Banking On Extreme Circuit Layout
Sergio Perez performs during Red Bull Showrun in Madrid, Spain on 15 July 2023. // Gianfranco Tripodo / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202307170113 // Usage for editorial use only //
Madrid Race Banking On Extreme Circuit Layout
Sergio Perez performs during Red Bull Showrun in Madrid, Spain on 15 July 2023. // Gianfranco Tripodo / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202307170113 // Usage for editorial use only //

The mayor of Madrid has played down rumours the city may not be ready to welcome Formula 1 next year.

Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida declared this week that although the sport is yet to set the calendar for 2026, the first event “will be held in September”.

The issue, however, is that a current delay means construction works on the area around the Ifema venue fairgrounds cannot begin until the end of April.

Spanish newspapers say the tender process is currently held up, amid speculation of problems with the joint financing of the project by both the city of Madrid and private investors.

Mayor Almeida, however, told Europa Press: “The race will take place and it will be a success.”

But he warned: “Formula 1 is just around the corner and we need to have the circuit and all the facilities ready. Everyone involved in this project is working very hard to make it happen.”

The mayor insists that the project is proceeding “according to plan”, reminding critics that similar recent projects in Miami and Las Vegas were also completed in the nick of time.

The deadline for construction companies to submit their tender applications expired earlier in January, and there were reportedly five offers submitted for the originally 137 million euro process.

The outcome is not yet known, nor is there a firm date set for construction to begin. However, mayor Almeida said he wanted to pass on “tranquillity to the people of Madrid, because Formula 1 is going to be a success.

“Ifema and the community of Madrid are working very hard to make it a reality.”

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More in News

F1 Grand Prix Of Monaco

FIA Could Permit Twelfth Team On F1 Grid

A twelfth Formula 1 team could soon be following in ...
2018 Belgian Grand Prix, Friday Steve Etherington

Bottas Fully Committed To Mercedes In 2025, But Has One Eye On A 2026 Seat

Valtteri Bottas admits one of his roles in 2025 will ...
250128 T02 Tpc Barcellona Ac Cat1344 7fd1c60c 0974 493c B293 4d97447a29a2

Hamilton ‘Comfortable’ As F1 Legend Predicts Success

Lewis Hamilton is settling into his Ferrari cockpit well, according ...
2024 Italian Grand Prix, Friday - Toto Wolff & Kimi Antonelli (image courtesy Mercedes)

Toto Wolff Not Expecting Mercedes Success Until 2026

Toto Wolff has played down expectations about Mercedes' 2025 Formula ...
Depositphotos 774283398 L

Prost ‘Sure’ Verstappen Will Beat F1 Title Tally

Alain Prost is "sure" he will soon be left behind ...

Trending on F1 Chronicle