After a 45-year wait, Madrid becomes the epicenter of Formula 1 this weekend, hosting its first Grand Prix. The event, running from Friday to Sunday, anticipates 345,000 attendees and is projected to generate an economic impact of €467 million, alongside creating approximately 8,850 jobs, according to a PwC study.
The 'Madring' circuit, a 5.4-kilometer semi-urban layout, integrates public road sections with newly constructed permanent facilities around Ifema Madrid and Valdebebas. It features 22 corners, notably 'La Monumental', turn 12, which at 550 meters long and with a 24% banking, stands as the championship's longest in this aspect. The design promises to be fast, technical, and challenging, marking the sixteenth stop on the season's calendar.
The competition kicks off on Friday with the first free practice sessions (1:30 PM and 5:00 PM). Saturday will feature the third free practice session (12:30 PM) followed by qualifying (4:00 PM). The main race is scheduled for Sunday, starting at 3:00 PM.
An attendance of 345,000 spectators is expected, with 45% coming from abroad and 25% international visitors. The hospitality offerings, including over a dozen VIP areas like Club 91 and The Boxes, are considered Europe's most extensive in their category. The grandstands, with a capacity for around 110,000 spectators, are divided into the Madring Sur (Ifema) and Madring Norte (Valdebebas) zones, featuring optimized access points to facilitate entry and exit from the venue between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
The mobility plan prioritizes public transport, with over 80% of attendees expected to use it. The southern zone benefits from direct connections to Metro line 8 and several EMT bus lines, while the northern zone is served by Cercanías C-1 and buses. The Community of Madrid will reinforce Metro lines 8, 4, and 5, and Renfe will increase Cercanías services. Five free shuttle buses will operate, alongside interurban bus services and I+D.
The security operation will involve approximately 1,300 agents from the National Police, 200 from the Civil Guard, and nearly a thousand from the Madrid Municipal Police. The circuit is strategically located five minutes from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and fifteen minutes from the city center.
Ifema Madrid has secured the organization of the Spanish Grand Prix until at least 2035. This event marks 'Madring's' debut in Formula 1, an initiative aimed at promoting tourism in the capital. Formula 1, with over 800 million global fans, represents one of the world's largest sporting spectacles.
