F1’s Madrid move fuelled by net-zero goal and big city glamour
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F1 chief Stefano Domenicali said that IFEMA shares their vision to make the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid one of the most accessible and sustainable F1 events.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Formula One’s announcement that Madrid will host the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026 reflects the sport’s push for net-zero carbon status by 2030,
The new 5.47km part-street circuit will be around the Ifema exhibition centre with easy access by rail and metro from the city and nearby Barajas airport, a positive for the sport’s carbon footprint.
Organisers expect 90 per cent of fans will be able to reach the venue by public transport.
“Ifema... shares our vision and ambition to make the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid one of the most accessible and sustainable F1 events on the calendar,” F1 chief Stefano Domenicali said on Jan 23.
A press release said Ifema exhibition halls used 100 per cent-certified renewable energy and any temporary structure set up for the race would be built with recyclable materials.
Most of the latest additions to Formula One’s calendar, a record 24 races for 2024, have been urban with the Las Vegas Strip, Jeddah’s Corniche, Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium and Singapore’s Marina Bay standing out.
Rural favourites like Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, hugely popular with fans but heavily reliant on road access, have long ceased to be the business model.
Taking races to population centres, with concerts and entertainment thrown in, is the name of the game even if the tracks themselves are not necessarily conducive to great racing.
The likes of Germany’s Nurburgring and Hockenheimring, France’s Magny-Cours and Le Castellet and Turkey’s Istanbul Park have disappeared from the calendar for financial reasons, but also because public transport was almost non-existent and hotels scarce.
Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, current host of the Spanish Grand Prix, is some 30km from the eastern port city with a roughly 45-minute walk from the nearest station.
“Modern Formula One cars racing on a new circuit in the Spanish capital city of Madrid is an enticing prospect,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the governing body FIA.
“As we build towards the introduction of the FIA 2026 Formula One regulations, which have been framed with net-zero carbon by 2030 in mind, it is pleasing to see that the local organisers have placed a sharp focus on environmental sustainability.”
Formula One cars will use 100 per cent-sustainable fuel in 2026 when new engines are introduced, but the logistics of getting to races – for teams and fans – provide the bulk of emissions.
Ironically, the sport’s city focus comes as all-electric Formula E – which has been net zero since the start in 2014 – has expanded to permanent circuits.
That series switched its Italian round from a street circuit in Rome to Misano on the Adriatic coast. The permanent Portland International Raceway is also home to the American round after New York ceased to be an option.
“We still want to keep our DNA of street racing... but we are going faster and faster,” series founder Alejandro Agag said. “To show the performance of these cars, which is one of the objectives of Formula E, we are going to have to open up to some races in circuits.
“I think Formula One and Formula E are kind of heading to the same place from opposite sides, in a way.” REUTERS
