Formula 1® is set to return to Madrid in 2026, marking the first Spanish Grand Prix in the capital city for 45 years. The event will take place at the new Madring circuit, bringing a fresh chapter to Spain’s motorsport history. This return also highlights the growing connection between Formula 1® and Spanish football, with several prominent clubs and players involved in the occasion.
The upcoming Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid will feature notable figures such as Carlos Sainz, a Williams driver and Real Madrid supporter, who serves as an ambassador for the Madring circuit. Sainz was the first driver to complete a lap of the new track. Fernando Alonso, another Spanish driver and Real Madrid fan, was made an honorary member of the club in 2017, following in the footsteps of Sainz’s father, Carlos Sainz Sr, who had trials with Real Madrid and received the same honorary membership in 2021.
Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have taken active roles as Local Event Supporters for the Grand Prix. Real Madrid’s training complex is located near the Madring circuit, strengthening the geographical and cultural ties between the sport and the city. Atletico Madrid has signed a five-year partnership, hosting fan experiences and concerts at their stadium during the Grand Prix weekend. The club also contributed several players to Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad, marking the largest single-club contribution since 1934.
The crossover between Formula 1® and Spanish football extends beyond club partnerships. Footballers like Ferran Torres, a member of Spain’s World Cup-winning team, have recently visited Formula 1® paddocks, including the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, a Virtual Spanish Grand Prix featured footballers such as Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and Barcelona’s Arthur Melo competing alongside Formula 1® drivers. The 2025 and 2026 Spanish Grands Prix also saw football personalities like Robert Lewandowski and Sergio Busquets present in the paddock, reflecting the mutual enthusiasm between the two sports.
Alongside Carlos Sainz, other drivers connected to Spanish football culture include Fernando Alonso, Gabriel Bortoleto, Pierre Gasly, and Isack Hadjar. Audi, as a manufacturer involved in Formula 1®, has also engaged guest footballers in related activities, further blending the worlds of motorsport and football.
This collaboration highlights the cultural significance of the Spanish Grand Prix returning to Madrid, not only as a sporting event but as a celebration of Spain’s rich football heritage and its influence on Formula 1®. The partnerships with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid underline the event’s local impact and the shared passion that connects fans of both sports in the city.
The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at Madring will be a notable moment in the calendar, bringing together top-level motorsport and football culture in a unique way. The involvement of football clubs and players alongside Formula 1® drivers emphasizes the event’s broader appeal beyond the racetrack.