F1 News: 2 Days before Rumored Mega Madrid GP Announcement, Spain’s Political Friction Endangers F1

We are seeing a shift in tide in one of the longest-serving and most prestigious races in Formula 1, the Spanish Grand Prix. The circus has visited Spain to host a race for over a century now and in Barcelona for more than three decades, since 1991. Now, we are a few days away from seeing the Spanish GP venue change to Madrid from Barcelona for the foreseeable future. However, Spain’s politics has potentially put red tape in front of these plans.

Various credible sources reported the announcement of the venue change for the Spanish GP was imminent. The reports suggested the presentation event of the Madrid GP will be held on January 23rd. Community President Isabel Diaz Ayuso, Mayor José Luis Martinez Almeida, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali will all be in attendance at the event to announce not if Madrid will host the future Spanish GP but when. However, recent reports are suggesting the Spanish government’s internal politics will hamper F1’s plans to move the venue.

To address the rumors and the pushback, the driving force behind bringing F1 back to Madrid, President Ayuso made a strong statement.

“Madrid is going to have Formula 1 Grand Prix despite the Government’s disinterest. I know that Sánchez whispers to investors that it is better to go to other places than to the Community of Madrid. I am in favor of changing the Electoral Law because Spain cannot continue to be handed over to the minorities that destroy it,” said Isabel Díaz Ayuso in an interview with El Mundo journalist, Jaime Rodríguez.

She added, “Whether Formula 1 leaves Barcelona or not has nothing to do with Madrid. If an event is in danger at a given moment, I prefer that it can stay in Madrid or in another Spanish region before it leaves the country. I hope that others know how to be happy for Madrid because we also have the right to receive investments, even if the Government does not help us.”

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The Madrid-born has been pushing to bring the circus to the capital for a while now. In fact, she has solid numbers to back her efforts and the numbers alone are convincing enough.

Why is there momentum to bring F1 back to Madrid as the host for the Spanish GP

The Community President has been persistent in her efforts to bring F1 back to Madrid. Instead of going 20 miles north of the capital to Jarama, she got approval from the city and the FIA to build a new track in Madrid. However, the pushback from the government to not allow F1 back in the city confused her. This is exactly why she shamed the government for its shortsightedness and backed her arguments with the economic and employment repercussions.

“Formula 1 is great news for Madrid. I don’t know any capital or city in the world that says no to F1. That only happens in Madrid, where the left opposes any initiative, since if it is good for Madrid, it is bad for its interests,” she began. “F1 is great news because it shows that Madrid is fashionable in the world, a place where investment wants to reach. We estimate that it will mean around 4.5 billion euros for the Madrid economy, it will mean the creation of 8,200 jobs.“

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With the creation of 8,200 jobs and the potential to bring in $4.5 billion, the Madrid GP is definitely a lucrative proposition for the city. However, with the political tussle, do you see the Madrid GP coming to fruition without further drama? Let us know in the comments section.