Since last Thursday, photographs and videos of a tireless Formula 1 car on a Line 7 platform of the Madrid Metro have widely circulated on social media. These images correspond to an advertising campaign organized by a well-known energy drink brand, in collaboration with the Community of Madrid.
Sources from Madrid Metro have confirmed that the action took place during early morning hours, after service closure, and is part of a commercial agreement. The brand, Red Bull, is known for conducting promotional exhibitions worldwide, including an event in Madrid's Plaza de Colón in 2024.
The single-seater, believed to belong to Max Verstappen's team, was seen at the Estadio Metropolitano station, near the Atlético de Madrid stadium, a club that also maintains a sponsorship with Red Bull until 2027. It is speculated that this promotional action is linked to the upcoming Spanish F1 Grand Prix, to be held in Madrid in September 2026.
This was a commercially driven action carried out during early morning hours.
This is not the first time the Ayuso Government has supported Red Bull's advertising efforts for Formula 1. In 2023, 200,000 euros of public funds were allocated to sponsor the Red Bull F1 Showrun, an event held in the city's central streets, including Plaza de Cibeles, an area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This decision drew criticism and a campaign from the Retiro Norte association, which urged UNESCO to intervene to protect the area.
More recently, in September 2025, the Community of Madrid again injected public money into a promotional action for the brand, a fan zone in Puerta del Sol. This project, which included a miniature race track and a contract awarded directly for 121,000 euros, was ultimately canceled. Despite initial claims that F1 would not cost Madrid's coffers any money, promotional events have involved significant public expenditure and the cession of public spaces and services.
