Formula 1 announces new Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid

The Circuit de Catalunya's days may be numbered. On Tuesday, Formula 1 announced that the Spanish Grand Prix will relocate to downtown Madrid from 2026.

It's a move that has both surprised and frustrated longtime fans of the sport.

Formula 1's 23 global tracks can be divided into two broad categories: race tracks and street tracks. Race tracks, like Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, are purpose-built complexes designed to offer competitive racing and consistent entertainment. Street tracks, like Madrid's expected 2026 layout, run on city roads and sacrifice quality racing for beautiful views of urban landmarks.

In recent seasons, Formula 1 has gone all-in on street tracks, believing that Instagrammable visuals of tracks like Baku, Singapore and Las Vegas will do more for the sport than sites with more entertainment but less visual appeal.

In its mission to grow the casual fanbase through glamorous locations, the sport has alienated longtime supporters who tune in for racecraft over scenery.

Street tracks are narrower than race tracks and contain slow, right-angle corners as they turn on city streets; both of these things reduce opportunities for overtakes and keep racing orders consistent throughout laps. Think of the Monaco Grand Prix: it's often considered a glorified parade because drivers can't pass one another to challenge for race positions on the principality's narrow roads.

Madrid's proposed 2026 track is no different. It sacrifices the fast corners of the Circuit de Catalunya for a plodding, rectangular track offering little in terms of innovation and excitement.

Curiously, Madrid has a purpose-built racing track of its own just 15 minutes outside of the city center. Madrid's Circuito del Jaramo hosted the Spanish Grand Prix from 1976 to 1985, and while it's in need of a few upgrades, it could be ready in less time--and likely at a lower cost--than the street track F1 plans on constructing downtown. If F1 insists on racing in Madrid, it's frustrating that it's forsaking a tested, engrossing venue in favor of another rote street track.

The 2024 Formula 1 season will kick off in Bahrain on Mar. 2. It will land in Barcelona--for what many believe will be one of the final races at the brilliant Circuit de Catalunya for the foreseeable future--on Jun. 23.