Organizational issues have put the Madrid GP in F1 at risk, primarily due to sponsorship problems. Meanwhile, the chances for South Africa and Rwanda are increasing.
Shocking rumors are swirling around the F1 paddock. After yesterday’s stir over the “Andretti case,” today brings significant news regarding the Madrid GP. The future Spanish GP, announced by F1 in January and set to likely replace the long-standing Barcelona race, now appears to be at risk due to a lack of agreements between sponsors for the event.
In simple terms, the issue facing the Madrid GP is the lack of funds (sourced primarily from event sponsors) to pay F1 and Liberty Media. The required sum amounts to around $250 million over ten years, translating to $25 million annually. This is a significant and impactful figure, even for Madrid’s local government and the Spanish authorities, who are now hesitant about backing such a substantial financial commitment. The GP in the Spanish capital would mark a return after 45 years, with the last race in 1981 won by Ferrari’s Gilles Villeneuve, hosting what would be the 10th edition of the race.
Stefano Domenicali, at the time of the announcement for the 2026-2035 Madrid GP, stated: “Madrid is an incredible city with an extraordinary sporting and cultural heritage, and today’s announcement (January 2024, ed.) opens an exciting new chapter for F1 in Spain. I would like to thank the IFEMA Madrid team, the regional government, and the city’s mayor for putting together a fantastic proposal that truly embodies F1’s vision of creating a multi-day sports and entertainment spectacle that maximizes fan engagement while embracing innovation and sustainability“.
Madrid out e Africa in? The hopes of Rwanda and South Africa
In recent weeks, discussions around bringing F1 to Africa have gained momentum. From Domenicali to FIA president Ben Sulayem, and even Lewis Hamilton, there has been renewed interest in bringing motorsport back to the African continent. F1 is reportedly in advanced negotiations with the governments of Rwanda and South Africa, with the possibility of one (unlikely both) of these circuits making it onto the 2026 calendar.
However, the situation differs significantly between the two countries: in Rwanda, F1 has reached an agreement for event organization, but the conditions for hosting the race are not yet in place. It’s no secret that the country is currently facing an epidemic, which, combined with a lack of funds and sponsors (similar to Madrid), complicates the organization of the weekend. Despite this, relations between the two parties remain strong, with F1 planning to close its season in Rwanda by holding the “end-of-year gala” there.
In South Africa, where F1 last raced at the Kyalami circuit in 1993 (with Alain Prost as the winner), the government has presented its offer to Stefano Domenicali. The country is considering organizing its F1 weekend not on the historic Kyalami track, but by finding a new solution in one of its major cities, either Cape Town or Johannesburg.
On this matter, South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, said: “F1 will definitely come to South Africa. They told us they’re eager to come, they’ve explained what they will do, and we’ll give them what they need to make it happen. There is still a major battle going on right now over whether it will be in Cape Town or Johannesburg.”.
Photo: F1