P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Madrid is to join the F1 calendar in 2026 and host the Spanish Grand Prix, and is to pay an eye-watering sum to F1.
Race-hosting fees play a crucial role in generating revenue for Formula 1, alongside sponsorship and TV rights deals, which are then distributed among the 10 teams at the end of each year. As more countries show interest in hosting Grand Prix events, the fees for hosting races are increasing, with venues like Saudi Arabia and Qatar paying top dollar. Madrid is set to take over hosting the Spanish Grand Prix from Barcelona in 2026, with reports suggesting they could pay €48 million euros ($52.1 million USD) annually. If accurate, this could generate over half a billion dollars for F1 over the course of their 10-year contract with Madrid.
