Madrid hopes to host a Formula 1 race in the future. Enrique Lopez, an adviser to the community of the Spanish capital, has sent a letter to King class boss Stefano Domenicali to express interest.
Since 1986, Formula 1 has been based in Barcelona. The Circuit de Catalunya also has a contract until 2026, so a short-term race in Madrid does not seem realistic at the moment.
Domenicali has already indicated that there is a lot of interest from other countries and/or cities to organize a race. The maximum number of races per year is 24, but may be increased to 25. This year there are 22 Grand Prix, after the competition in Russia was canceled.
Next year there will normally be 23 or 24 races. Qatar and Las Vegas are definitely coming. China normally does too, although there are still doubts given the situation and strict rules regarding the coronavirus there. South Africa is also facing a recession, possibly as early as 2023.
Of the current contracts that expire after this season, the Grand Prix of France (Paul Ricard) and Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) in particular seem to be in danger. A French delegation was previously present in Monaco. They hope that the annual change to a different location can still be a way out. Melchior Wathelet had a ‘positive’ conversation with Domenicali earlier this week in London on behalf of Spa-Francorchamps. The aim of that conversation was clear from a Belgian perspective: to keep Spa-Francorchamps on the calendar. However, there is still no clarity on this.
