F1: Madrid Spain wants to host a Formula 1 race, maybe (Update)

(GMM) The mayor of Madrid has played down reports the Spanish city could soon host a Formula 1 race.

Days ago, it emerged that Madrid cabinet minister Enrique Lopez had written to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to “express our interest” in joining the sport’s ever-expanding annual calendar.

“I would like to confirm our commitment to you and to this project, as well as our willingness to sign the appropriate agreements to promote the race and offer a great sporting and entertainment spectacle,” he wrote.

The bid might be seen as a challenge to the existing Spanish GP in Barcelona, but Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez Almeida played down the entire story.

“It is something that is being talked about,” he admitted. “But from the community of Madrid and the institutions it is seen as a preliminary issue.

“Formula 1 is one of the few major events that Madrid has never hosted and as such it is an issue that should be explored,” said mayor Almeida.

“Although right now that possibility is very preliminary,” he reiterated at the launch of a sporting museum on Monday.

Formula 1 has become so massively popular worldwide, it seems everyone wants to hot a F1 race now, despite the huge sanctioning fees.

Madrid, Spain is the latest city that wants a Formula 1 race and it could come at Barcelon’s expense. The expression of interest by Madrid comes after F1 warned the promoters of the Spanish Grand Prix to fix its “unacceptable” traffic and organizational issues after a number of problems emerged at the Barcelona race back in May.

The city has previously played host to the Formula One World Championship, the Jarama circuit having hosted the Spanish Grand Prix on 9 occasions between 1968 and 1981 – alternating initially with Barcelona’s Montjuic circuit – together with non-championship races in 1967 and 1980.

It is not clear where the race would take place, Jarama would require a massive upgrade, and though the local government of Morata de Tajuna, previously announced that it was seeking to build an FIA Grade 1 circuit. A street circuit is another distinct possibility.

“It is my pleasure to write to you on behalf of the government of the Community of Madrid to express our interest in the development of a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Madrid,” writes local government cabinet minister, Enrique Lopez in his letter to Domenicali.

“I believe that holding in Madrid a motor racing event, which is one of the most exciting sporting phenomena of our time, would be a success for all the professionals, institutions and companies involved in the development of Formula 1.

“Of course, it would also be a satisfaction for the whole region and its citizens. That is why the Government of the Community of Madrid has the greatest interest in making it possible.

“In short, I would like to confirm our commitment to you and to this project, as well as our willingness to sign the appropriate agreements to promote the race and offer a great sporting and entertainment spectacle.

“We are ready to work with you and your team to bring Formula 1 to Madrid.”