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Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has now reacted to the news that the Madrid Grand Prix will be the latest race added to the Formula 1 calendar.
Starting in 2026, F1 will be racing in the Spanish capital for the first time in 45 years and Carlos Sainz is certainly excited about the news.
The 29-year-old took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the new race that will add another street circuit to the calendar.
The F1 schedule has changed quite a lot over recent years, with an emphasis on trying to grow the popularity of the sport in the United States.
Miami and Las Vegas are the two latest tracks to be added to the calendar and the race in Sin City was one of the most exciting in 2023.
The schedule has changed once again this year as F1 returns to Shanghai for the first time since 2019.
The Chinese Grand Prix will also host its first-ever Sprint Race and Zhou Guanyu will finally get to take part in his home race.
Carlos Sainz is another driver who can now look forward to another home Grand Prix when the F1 circus heads to Madrid.
The 29-year-old has to remain on the grid for the next two seasons to take part in the race.
His contract at Ferrari expires at the end of the year, while he’s been linked with a move to Audi who will join the grid in the same season Madrid makes its F1 debut.
Sainz reacts to announcement of Madrid Grand Prix
Posting on social media on Tuesday, the Formula 1 account said: “F1 is coming to Madrid in 2026!”
In the replies, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz simply said: “Can’t wait!!!!!!”
The decision to move the Spanish Grand Prix from Barcelona to Madrid says a lot about the direction the sport wants to go in.
There have been some iconic races at the Circuit de Catalunya, such as Pastor Maldonado’s only Formula 1 race win and the breakthrough moment for Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
However, the circuit has also produced plenty of very dull events and Madrid offers F1 another street race in a huge city that would be more sustainable.
Sainz would be a key cog in the marketing of a Madrid Grand Prix in 2026 and F1 will hope he can secure his future in the sport up to that point.
It’s going to be very interesting to see where Formula 1 want to expand to next and potentially which races might be sacrificed as a result.
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