Madrid Officials Reject Delay Rumors for 2026 F1 Debut, Insist Circuit Is on Track

City leaders cite a December 15 FIA inspection as the next check on progress.

Overview

An Italian report from RMC Motori described idle machinery and limited visible work at the IFEMA site, prompting unverified talk of a possible Imola fallback.
Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida said works are ahead of schedule and reaffirmed the September 12, 2026 race date, highlighting strong ticket presales and committed sponsors.
Regional minister Miguel Angel Garcia Martin said construction began in May 2025 and remains aligned with a target to finish the circuit by the end of May 2026.
Event organisers told Soy Motor that the project is fully on schedule with no concern about meeting deadlines.
Local opposition has persisted over environmental and neighborhood impacts, with protesters displaying 'Stop F1 Madrid' banners earlier in the year.