Formula 1 returns to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend – a venue that has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix continuously since 1991 and spent a long time as the go-to pre-season test track.
This year, the race carries a different name.
With Madrid set to host the TAG Heuer Spanish Grand Prix for the first time in September under a 10-year agreement, Barcelona’s round has been rebranded as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in a small but symbolic shift that reflects a much larger change.
For the first time, Spain will host two F1 races in the same season.
One built on more than three decades of history, testing and tradition. The other built from scratch around the IFEMA Exhibition centre, with a fundamentally different idea of what a modern grand prix should be.
“Barcelona is, at the end of the day, our home Grand Prix for everybody in Spain,” said Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team driver Fernando Alonso, who hails from Oviedo.
“It’s a 365-day activity. Madrid is more a one-off event and a different approach – with different people coming to enjoy the race and to enjoy the weekend and to have fun in Madrid and having a different experience.
“Both of them are complementary and they are both good for the Spanish fans and for the country.”
Barcelona moves onto a rotational hosting contract after this season so will not be back on the calendar until 2027.
But that “different approach” which Alonso speaks of is something MADRING General Manager Luis Garcia Abad has been building from the ground up.
“This is a unique opportunity to showcase Spanish companies to the world,” Abad told Sector.
“We have examples in the past, like Santander with McLaren and Ferrari. We also have Spanish drivers, so it is the right moment for brands to connect with that.
“The project has been built using a lot of data and surveys, so we understand what our customers are looking for. We are not creating an offer and hoping people like it – we are responding to demand.”
That approach is already showing in early numbers and Sector understands almost 100,000 tickets have been sold across grandstands and hospitality.
With the race still three months away, MADRING has built a substantial audience base, with the location also playing into the experience.
“We already have strong early sales and a database of more than 300,000 people, so we understand our audience,” Abad said.
“With strong public transport, people can stay longer, enjoy the city, and not worry about logistics.
“The idea is to create an experience around Madrid itself – including things like the city atmosphere and lifestyle.”
On the circuit itself, Garcia Abad was clear that MADRING has no interest in competing with Spain’s existing motorsport venues.
Spain already has many fantastic circuits like Barcelona, Jerez or Valencia. Our focus is to create something different.
Luis Garcia Abad
“We are not trying to compete with traditional circuits,” he said.
“Spain already has many fantastic circuits like Barcelona, Jerez or Valencia. Our focus is to create something different.
“It is not a traditional street circuit and not a permanent circuit. Only part of it uses public roads, around 1.4 kilometres. The area itself is not residential, so it is easier to operate.”
“The key is to create something unique and recognisable, including for digital and gaming audiences.”
