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

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.

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

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"To be completely honest, it's not something I'm focused on at all," the Frenchman stated. "This is the right approach for McLaren. I don’t have an opinion on it—it's up to them." Verstappen's commanding performance in Texas has reduced Piastri's lead to just 40 points, with Norris also closing the gap. However, Piastri dismissed the notion of elevating one driver over the other. 

"I don’t think that's the case," the Australian said. "We're still incredibly close, and we've both expressed a desire to compete for the championship because we both deserve it. It’s too tight to start favoring one driver over the other." Team principal Andrea Stella concurred, indicating that McLaren will only interfere if the situation calls for it mathematically. 

"If a decision needs to be made, it will be purely based on the mathematics," Stella confirmed. "I can recall the years 2007 and 2010, where the third-place driver ended up winning the championship on the last race. We won't shut the door unless the math dictates it." 

Verstappen’s recent performance—gaining 23 points on Piastri in Austin alone—has added pressure on McLaren, with Dr. Helmut Marko suggesting that Red Bull has "another car update in the pipeline." Nonetheless, Stella emphasized the need for the team to remain composed. 

"First and foremost, I need to keep calm myself," he said. "What we’re currently experiencing—an intense battle for wins and the Drivers' Championship—is precisely what Formula 1 represents. It was unusual for us to achieve P1 and P2 so easily in Barcelona, Bahrain, and several other venues. Now it's about adapting to this level of pressure and managing it with maximum intensity but minimal stress." 

He added, "We don’t want to lose the enjoyment of what we do. It’s a privilege to be in this position, one that is the result of the hard work from the team and both drivers. Our approach going forward is straightforward: continue performing well, and the results will come." 

Despite Verstappen’s efforts, Stella refuted suggestions that McLaren is losing grip in the battle. "The fact that we still have five races and two sprints means we could potentially widen the gap to Verstappen," he noted. "We view the upcoming races as an opportunity to extend that gap." Despite Max Verstappen's title challenge intensifying the championship race, McLaren remains steadfast in their stance that neither Oscar Piastri nor Lando Norris will be designated as the 'number 1' driver. Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies commented after the Austin race that McLaren’s consideration of this issue is "exactly what they should be doing." "To be completely honest, it's not something I'm focused on at all," the Frenchman stated. "This is the right approach for McLaren. I don’t have an opinion on it—it's up to them." Verstappen's commanding performance in Texas has reduced Piastri's lead to just 40 points, with Norris also closing the gap. However, Piastri dismissed the notion of elevating one driver over the other. "I don’t think that's the case," the Australian said. "We're still incredibly close, and we've both expressed a desire to compete for the championship because we both deserve it. It’s too tight to start favoring one driver over the other." Team principal Andrea Stella concurred, indicating that McLaren will only interfere if the situation calls for it mathematically. "If a decision needs to be made, it will be purely based on the mathematics," Stella confirmed. "I can recall the years 2007 and 2010, where the third-place driver ended up winning the championship on the last race. We won't shut the door unless the math dictates it." Verstappen’s recent performance—gaining 23 points on Piastri in Austin alone—has added pressure on McLaren, with Dr. Helmut Marko suggesting that Red Bull has "another car update in the pipeline." Nonetheless, Stella emphasized the need for the team to remain composed. "First and foremost, I need to keep calm myself," he said. "What we’re currently experiencing—an intense battle for wins and the Drivers' Championship—is precisely what Formula 1 represents. It was unusual for us to achieve P1 and P2 so easily in Barcelona, Bahrain, and several other venues. Now it's about adapting to this level of pressure and managing it with maximum intensity but minimal stress." He added, "We don’t want to lose the enjoyment of what we do. It’s a privilege to be in this position, one that is the result of the hard work from the team and both drivers. Our approach going forward is straightforward: continue performing well, and the results will come." Despite Verstappen’s efforts, Stella refuted suggestions that McLaren is losing grip in the battle. "The fact that we still have five races and two sprints means we could potentially widen the gap to Verstappen," he noted. "We view the upcoming races as an opportunity to extend that gap." Formula 1 | Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur expresses his appreciation for John Elkann's public endorsement—not due to a need for validation, but because it should (…)

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

Formula 1 | According to regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso, Madrid's preparations to host the Spanish GP starting in 2026 are advancing more swiftly than anticipated. (…)