Spanish Grand Prix in doubt for 2026? Concerns emerge over delays in Madrid

Speculation regarding a potential cancellation of the event has been circulating for some time. Recently, GPblog reached out to the organizers to verify whether there was any truth to the rumors and whether the planned street race might be scrapped. In response, the site was assured that a Grand Prix will "definitely" take place in 2026 at the newly named Madring circuit.

The Madrid Grand Prix is currently scheduled for September 2026, meaning there is still ample time to complete preparations. The planned venue benefits from being situated near a convention center, offering excellent logistical support for media, sponsors, and teams alike.

However, pit boxes still need to be constructed—though this shouldn't require a full year. Just consider the example of the Hungaroring, which managed to build an entirely new pit complex from the ground up in just twelve months—a facility set to be operational in the coming weeks.

In the event of a delay and the Madrid circuit not being ready in time, Formula 1 could swiftly turn to Imola as a fallback option. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is currently set to be dropped from the F1 calendar, although this has not yet been officially confirmed. Could that be a strategic move to keep a contingency plan open in case Madrid falls through?

However, the Spaniards’ strong confidence in a positive outcome seems clear from an event taking place this weekend: a demonstration run will be held on the Madrid circuit, with Carlos Sainz driving a Williams car.

In addition, it is likely that Spain will host two races next season. The Barcelona circuit still holds a contract with Formula 1, although that event will likely no longer carry the title of the Spanish Grand Prix.