Madrid's F1 preparations are 'progressing ahead of timeline'.

      "We will begin paving the stadium in the upcoming days."

      Preparations in Madrid to host the Spanish GP starting in 2026 are "advancing more rapidly than anticipated," as reported by regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso, who visited Austin this past weekend to learn about the global management of Formula 1 events. Speaking to DAZN from the Circuit of the Americas, where F1 announced a new agreement to keep the United States GP until 2034, Ayuso confirmed that the construction of the new Madring street circuit is progressing quickly.

      "The work is going well - indeed, it’s moving faster than expected," she stated. "We will start paving the stadium shortly, and our focus is on the access points to ensure the experience is as comfortable as possible for everyone."

      She mentioned that her visit to Austin offered valuable perspectives on the logistics of hosting such a significant international event. "We are very pleased to be here and witness the organization of an event like this," Ayuso noted. "Seeing the impact it has on the city - the atmosphere, the scale, the magnitude of an event like this - you truly need to experience it firsthand to grasp it."

      Ayuso also highlighted the growing excitement in Spain for the 2026 race, pointing out that Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has taken on the role of an unofficial ambassador for the project. "There is a lot of enthusiasm for the Grand Prix in Madrid," she remarked. "Everyone has been talking to us about it and inquiring. With Carlos Sainz being involved as an ambassador, it makes it even more appealing and exciting. There is a lot of anticipation."

      The new Madring circuit, located near the IFEMA exhibition complex in the city's northeast, poses a threat to the future of Barcelona's long-established F1 event.