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Formula 1 is coming to Madrid in spectacular fashion, with almost 350,000 fans expected to attend the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring street circuit from Friday September 11 to Sunday September 13.

 

Organisers have confirmed that the event is completely sold out, with as many as 130,000 visitors expected each day. Around 40% are coming from outside Spain, with large numbers of international fans expected from the UK, United States, Mexico, France, the Netherlands and Portugal.

 

The race marks the return of Formula 1 to Madrid after a 45-year absence and is already shaping up to be one of the biggest sporting events ever held in the Spanish capital.

 

For Madrid-born driver Carlos Sainz, the weekend will be particularly special. The Williams driver and Madring ambassador will compete in his first Formula 1 Grand Prix in his home city, while tickets for the grandstand dedicated to him have also completely sold out.

 

The new circuit has been designed specifically to bring fans close to the action. The 5.4-kilometre track features 22 corners, with a mixture of fast sections, blind turns, changes in elevation and stretches running close to the barriers.

 

One of its most distinctive features is La Monumental, the circuit's Turn 12. The section is 547.82 metres long and includes a maximum banking of 24%, as well as a vertical drop of almost 10 metres.

 

Away from the racing, fans will have plenty to keep them occupied, with food, music and entertainment areas incorporated into the fan zones and hospitality spaces. Organisers have also brought elements of Madrid's local culture into the experience.

 

The first cars will take to the track on Friday September 11, officially getting the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix weekend under way.

 

The arrival of F1 is also expected to provide a major boost to Madrid's economy. A new study by PwC estimates that the event will generate around €467 million in economic activity and create 8,850 jobs.

 

Madrid is now taking over from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as host of the Spanish Grand Prix, although Spain will continue to feature prominently on the F1 calendar.

 

The Barcelona race, which has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991, will alternate with Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps circuit until 2032, meaning Spain is set to have two Grand Prix events on the calendar during the coming seasons.

 

Formula 1 has long delivered major economic and tourism benefits to the areas where it races, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors, filling hotels and restaurants and giving host cities an international profile.

 

Madrid is now hoping to build on that success, with the new semi-urban Madring circuit set to host the Spanish Grand Prix for the next 10 years.

 

With tickets already sold out and hundreds of thousands of fans preparing to descend on the capital, Madrid's first F1 weekend is certainly arriving with plenty of momentum.

 

 

Image: Madring