The Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix has been held in Barcelona since 1991, although in these more than three decades the championship has passed through other Spanish circuits simultaneously with this race. Now there are rumors about a project for a GP in the streets of Madrid, and for FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, there is no problem with that happening… but only if there is one round in Spanish territory.
The newspaper AS questioned the official about the possibility of a race in the Spanish capital, to which he began by responding that the calendar is too extensive: ‘We have three races in the United States and two in Italy. […]. I think we have too many races, 23, it is a calendar that generates fatigue for everyone. We must be careful with our teams, also in the FIA’.
Regarding the concrete possibility of Madrid entering Formula 1, Ben Sulayem clarified that for that to happen, Barcelona will have to leave – also emphasizing the role of the FIA in relation to the premier category and motorsport: ‘I support races in all countries, variety is needed. Does Madrid make sense? I see it differently from FOM. They have the commercial part of F1, we have the sporting part. We are not influenced by the number of fans who attend, the shares do not go up. We want motorsport to grow and our mission as FIA is different. It would be very difficult to have two races in Spain, it has to be one that has everything. Now it’s Barcelona. If it’s in Madrid, it will be the same for me’.
For the Arab, the location doesn’t matter as long as Spain has an F1 GP given the importance of the country: ‘I have no problem with Madrid or Barcelona as long as the Spanish flag is there, because we couldn’t leave Spain without a race. It is an incredible country for motorsport in rallies or karting, why do you think the Motorsport Games will be there next year?’.
