Madrid accelerates towards F1: The IFEMA circuit takes shape
Following the official announcement of the Madrid Grand Prix set for 2026, the months of March and April 2025 have brought significant updates to the development of the circuit planned around IFEMA Madrid. These recent developments build on the initial news and further position the Spanish capital as a key player on the global Formula 1 stage. The project is not just a sporting event—it marks a strategic urban transformation with economic, infrastructural, and technological implications.
Madrid is preparing to step on the gas and establish itself as a motorsport capital in 2026. The core of this ambitious plan is IFEMA Madrid, where construction of a semi-urban circuit will officially begin between April and May 2025. With a 14-month execution timeline, the project will reshape the exhibition center and its surrounding urban fabric, showcasing how major sporting events can serve as a catalyst for innovation and city development.
A Unique Infrastructure for a World-Class Event
The proposed layout of the circuit stretches 5.474 km and includes 20 turns, offering both technical challenges and visual spectacle for drivers and fans alike. With a projected fastest qualifying lap time of 1 minute and 32 seconds, the circuit will combine urban sections with more traditional racing features, blending seamlessly with IFEMA’s existing infrastructure.
From a construction and urban planning perspective, this is a technically demanding endeavor. Repurposing an established venue like IFEMA to accommodate a global-scale event requires precise engineering solutions and seamless coordination among numerous stakeholders.
BIM: A Key Tool, Though Not Yet Officially Confirmed
Although there have been no official updates regarding the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for the Formula 1 circuit project, its implementation is highly likely given the complexity of the development and prevailing trends within the AECO industry.
BIM has been a recurring theme in events hosted by IFEMA, notably during BIMEXPO, part of the International Construction Week. These forums have emphasized the value of BIM in infrastructure projects—enhancing planning, coordination, and lifecycle management. As such, it is reasonable to assume that BIM is playing a behind-the-scenes role in ensuring the efficiency, collaboration, and sustainability of this high-stakes construction process.
Economic Impact: Accelerating the City’s Growth
Beyond its sporting appeal, the Madrid Grand Prix is expected to generate significant economic returns. Projections estimate an annual economic impact of €450 million, amounting to €4.5 billion over the ten-year contract signed between IFEMA and Formula 1.
This boost will ripple across the tourism, hospitality, and service sectors while raising Madrid’s international profile as a host city for world-class events. The synergy between sports and infrastructure could become a benchmark for other cities seeking urban regeneration through strategic event hosting.
Immediate Effects: Rethinking Space and Function
As planning progresses, the first operational changes are already being felt. Outdoor festivals and concerts traditionally held at IFEMA have been temporarily suspended to accommodate the necessary preparations for the circuit, signaling a significant shift in the venue’s short-term functionality.
This transformation underscores the need for a new coexistence model between exhibition venues, cultural spaces, and major sporting events—one that demands long-term vision and flexible urban management.
Meanwhile in 2025: A Season of Strategic Adjustments
Although the Madrid Grand Prix will debut in 2026, the 2025 Formula 1 season has already introduced a number of strategic changes. Adjustments to the calendar due to Ramadan have moved the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races to April, while Melbourne kicked off the season in March.
The sprint race format continues in six key circuits—including China, Miami, and Brazil—adding new layers of excitement and tactical variation. Technically, the FIA has implemented new regulations such as increasing the minimum car weight to 800 kg and introducing updated rules on flexible rear wings to limit aerodynamic advantages.
Madrid, in parallel, is racing against the clock to meet the challenge: to deliver not only a top-tier motorsport event, but also an innovative urban proposal aligned with the principles of sustainability, digitalization, and long-term infrastructure performance.
