Source:REUTERS/HAMAD
I MOHAMMED
[Saba
Sports News] In an official announcement, the FIA confirmed that starting from
2026, the F1 Spanish Grand Prix will be held in Madrid, and a 10-year contract
has been signed between the two parties. Simultaneously, the Circuit de
Catalunya is engaged in discussions regarding the possibility of continuing
their cooperation with Formula 1, and they have not ruled out the potential of
hosting two races in Spain. However, since the Madrid Grand Prix will be a
street race, the track design has sparked complaints across the internet. The
starting area of the Madrid Grand Prix is located at the main entrance of the
Madrid Convention and Exhibition Center. In comparison to the wide and long
starting point of the Baku street circuit, the Madrid track appears narrower
and shorter. This could lead to situations where trailing cars stack up around
corners. Additionally, there are three consecutive sharp right-angle turns at
Turns 1, 2, and 3, which may pose a risk of rear-end collisions due to the
half-shadow and half-sunlight conditions in certain areas. Some fans have
expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that the Madrid circuit lacks
distinctive features and is merely a suburban convention and exhibition area
where a section of road was constructed to form the circuit. The design of this
so-called “street race” appears more like a compromise resulting from
the challenges of urban track planning and the inability to construct a new
track, lacking any Spanish characteristics.