Fernando Alonso: F1 cannot lose Barcelona after 2026

While Barcelona technically has a contract to host a Formula 1 race next season, this weekend’s grand prix is being treated as a swansong by many with Madrid set to join the calendar from 2026.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has played host to the Spanish Grand Prix since relocating from Jerez in 1991 and has become a firm favourite for teams, who have racked up hours of testing time around its 14 corners.

However, with F1 bosses pushing for more investment in infrastructure and traffic management, in particular, falling on deaf ears, they have elected to sign up Madrid instead, with Spain’s capital set to host a street circuit race around the ‘Madring’.

Not since 1981 has Madrid been a destination on the F1 calendar, with the new circuit signing a deal until 2035 – although it is due to come into effect from next year, when Barcelona is still also slated to host a race.

It is unlikely, given the packed schedule and with nations queuing up for a race, that both Spanish cities will stage grand prix in the same year – but unlike Imola, which hosted its last race for the foreseeable future a fortnight ago – two key drivers seem to be more keen to remain in Catalonia.

Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso has twice won his home race and maintains that Barcelona will keep its place.

“I don’t think that we will lose Barcelona. So that’s my opinion and my wish as well,” the Aston Martin driver said.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

“I think it’s good to have new venues. It’s good to have new countries as well that Formula 1 has moved to in the last decade. But at the same time, we need to keep some traditional circuits where the history of Formula 1 has been written and made.

“I think Formula 1 and Barcelona are very linked. We’ve been testing here for decades. I think all the teams choose Barcelona when they have to choose one test track. We come back next year here in winter because we have new regulations, new cars, and again, once again, the teams chose Barcelona because it’s the Formula 1 track in a way.

“I think the circuit has made some changes to make it up to Formula 1 standards. So in the last two or three years, all the paddock facilities, the grandstands, everything has taken a new level. And Barcelona has been here for the last two or three decades, and Barcelona will be here for the next 10, 20, 30, 40 years.

“And some of the venues will be just momentarily on the calendar and then probably they will disappear again. So, we cannot lose Barcelona.”

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen is one of only two drivers to win in Barcelona in the past nine years and took his maiden F1 win there in his first race for Red Bull in 2016. He believes it would be a shame to see the race drop off the calendar.

“I think for F1 in general, it would be a bit of a loss, of course, if this track goes. Especially, I think, for the drivers. But I think even the fan experience is nice,” he said.

Preparing for the ‘Madring’

Madring layout for Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix

Organisers confirmed that the 2026 F1 Spanish Grand Prix will be held over 57 laps of the 5.4-kilometre, 22-turn Madring circuit, having also presented an onboard lap of the digital version.

The Madring circuit, with numerous nods to the history of Madrid and Spain, will start with a 589-metre straight, the second longest of the entire layout. From the start line there will be a 202-metre sprint to Turn 1, but in racing conditions Turn 1s and 2 are expected to yield some overtaking opportunities as cars slow down from 320kph to 100kph for the first chicane.

Carlos Sainz was born in Madrid and has become an ambassador for the new race so there was no surprise when he spoke of his excitement and how he believes the race will be a “success” in his hometown.

“I’m the ambassador – they made me ambassador for the Grand Prix, and I’m going to try to support the circuit, the community, and make it the best it can be,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to it because I believe Madrid has huge potential as a city, and I think more and more people around the world are realising how lucky we are to have a city like Madrid. I believe it’s going to be a success.”