In 2026, there will be a new circuit on the F1 calendar, but there is uproar that has sparked venomous debate between the city’s politicians.
The Madrid Grand Prix is currently the subject of a contentious debate among local politicians regarding its financial sustainability, as one party criticizes it as “a scam and unprofitable.” Despite the controversy, F1 announced earlier this year that the Spanish city would host the race from 2026 to 2035, with an annual hosting fee of $25 million and a total expenditure of $250 million over the tenure. The event is planned to take place on a semi-permanent track around the Ifema Madrid exhibition center, but securing a main sponsor remains a pressing issue. Deputy Minister Luis Martín expressed confidence in the event during a recent Committee on Tourism and Sports meeting, highlighting its potential positive impact on the region. Despite optimism, skepticism persists among politicians like Pablo Gómez Perpinyà, from Más Madrid, who doubts the profitability of the project and raises concerns about the burden it could place on taxpayers.
