Santander will be a ‘Founding Partner’ of 2026 Spanish GP

Banco Santander has announced that it will become the Founding Partner of the Formula 1 TAG Heuer Gran Premio de España, which will take place in Madrid from 11 to 13 September 2026. Under this multi-year agreement, the bank – an Official Partner of Formula 1 – reinforces its long-standing commitment to the sport while further consolidating its presence in Spanish sport.

As Founding Partner of the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, Santander will enjoy prominent visibility around the circuit, drive official content and fan activations, and offer customers and fans exclusive experiences aligned with its global sponsorship strategy.
Juan Manuel Cendoya, Santander’s Global Head of Communications, Corporate Marketing and Research, said:

“This agreement represents a natural step in our commitment to Formula 1. Madrid is a vibrant city at a very exciting moment, and through this partnership we want to support a truly global event while offering our customers demonstrating unique experiences, as we do at Grands Prix in our core markets. These events generate a significant economic boost for host cities, and Spain is one of those markets, with two races scheduled next year.”
José Vicente de los Mozos, Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID, added: “At IFEMA Madrid we welcome Santander as a founding partner of the Spanish Grand Prix. Having an ally of this scale is key as we work together to deliver an event that will mark a turning point in the history of Formula 1 in Spain.”
Santander has been involved in Formula 1 for 16 years, since 2006, sponsoring races and teams including Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren.

About the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix

The FORMULA 1 TAG HEUER SPANISH GRAND PRIX 2026 will be held from 11 to 13 September at MADRING, a new 5.4-kilometre semi-urban circuit featuring 22 corners and designed to deliver a high-impact spectator experience. A standout feature of the layout is La Monumental, set to become the circuit’s iconic landmark: a corner stretching more than 550 meters with a 24% banking, presenting a unique challenge for drivers.
MADRING will also be one of the best-connected circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. Located within the city and just five minutes from the airport, it will have a metro stop at its main entrance, a train station and multiple urban bus routes. It is estimated that at least 80% of spectators will travel to the event using public transport, helping to reduce its carbon footprint.
The event will place a strong emphasis on sustainability, with 100% renewable electricity used across key areas of the circuit, and a firm commitment to ensuring the Grand Prix is accessible to all.
MADRING will also celebrate Spanish and Madrid culture and gastronomy, with the concept of tardeo – afternoon socialising – taking center stage in fan zones, creating a distinctive atmosphere throughout the weekend.

Official Partner of Formula 1®
Santander has also been the Official Bank of Formula 1® since early 2025. The partnership strengthens the bank’s visibility across its core markets, showcasing the Santander and Openbank brands.

Formula 1 has a global fan base of 827 million and is the world’s most popular sports league, with year-on-year growth of 12% and an increase of 63% since 2018. Much of this audience is concentrated in Santander’s key markets, with particularly strong growth in the United States and among younger fans worldwide. Formula 1 currently stages 24 Grands Prix across 20 countries, many of them in Santander’s principal markets in Europe and the Americas.

Banco Santander (SAN SM) is a leading commercial bank founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain. It is one of the world’s largest banks by market capitalisation. The group operates through five global businesses: Retail & Commercial Banking, Digital Consumer Bank, Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), Wealth Management & Insurance, and Payments (PagoNxt and Cards). This model enables the bank to combine global scale with strong local leadership. Santander aims to be the best open financial services platform for individuals, SMEs, corporates, financial institutions and governments, with a mission to contribute to people’s and businesses’ progress in a simple, personal and fair way. As at the end of the third quarter of 2025, Banco Santander had €1.3 trillion in total customer funds, 178 million customers, 7,400 branches and 201,000 employees. Spanish GP Press Release