‘Be careful’… F1 journalist has noticed something very strange after 2026 Madrid Grand Prix announcement

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Formula 1 made an announcement on Tuesday morning that had been anticipated for some time that Madrid will be joining the calendar in 2026.

The 5.47km circuit will incorporate both street and non-street circuit sections and will give Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso a new home race should they both still be on the grid.

However, journalist Antonio Lobato admits he’s noticed something very odd about the official announcement.

Spain has been a country synonymous with Formula 1 ever since the first race was held there in 1951.

Juan Manuel Fangio won that day in his Alfa Romeo and wrapped up his first world championship at the Pedralbes Circuit in Barcelona.

Since then, Formula 1 has travelled to Circuito de Jarama in Madrid, Montjuic Park, Jerez and the Circuit de Catalunya to race in Spain.

Madrid hasn’t hosted a Formula 1 race in 40 years so today’s announcement will be extremely exciting for residents of the capital.

However, there was one aspect of the statement that appears to be quite confusing.

It involves the current venue in Barcelona which has become an iconic destination for plenty of modern F1 fans.

With Formula 1 becoming a global event, it seems very unlikely that both circuits will remain on the calendar.

There is a chance that teams could be saying goodbye to the Barcelona-based circuit sooner than expected.

Madrid Grand Prix announcement made by Formula 1

Posting from the proposed start/finish line at the new track, Lobato said: “Arriving at Ifema and finding a finish line set up with the inscription Spanish GP and two dates: 2026-2035…

“Be careful, as far as I know, the 2026 Spanish GP is signed in Barcelona.”

In Formula 1’s announcement of the Madrid Grand Prix, there isn’t a single mention of the race in Barcelona.

The track’s contract runs until at least 2026 but the chances of their being two races in Spain that year seem very low.

Sky Sports are reporting that discussions are ongoing about Barcelona’s future on the calendar, but with drivers already complaining about a packed schedule, there might not be too much support for it remaining on the schedule.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali called the new event a ‘fantastic proposal’, while FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes it’s an ‘enticing prospect’.

Ultimately, it will all come down to how exciting the race is and street circuits now have the spectacle created by the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year to live up to.

That won’t be easy but Spain is an F1-mad country and Madrid-based fans will come out in their droves to support the new event.

It coincides with the introduction of new regulations in the sport, so Max Verstappen may not be guaranteed victory at Formula 1’s newest circuit.