Banco Santander has confirmed a multi-year agreement to become the founding partner of the Formula 1 TAG Heuer Spanish Grand Prix, strengthening its long-standing association with the championship and deepening its footprint in the Spanish sports market. The race will be held in Madrid from 11 to 13 September 2026, marking a new chapter for Formula 1 in Spain.
The Madrid event is set to join the F1 calendar as part of the 24-race 2026 season, replacing Italy’s Imola. Santander, an official partner of F1, will receive prominent circuit visibility, support official content and activations, and deliver exclusive on-site experiences for customers and fans, aligned with the bank’s global sports marketing strategy.
Juan Manuel Cendoya, global head of Communications, Corporate Marketing and Research of Santander and vice chair of Santander Spain, said, “This agreement is a natural step in our commitment to Formula 1. Madrid is such a vibrant, thriving city, and the bank wants to support this world-class event and offer our customers unique experiences as we do at the Grands Prix in our core markets, which generate significant economic impact for the host cities. Spain is one of those markets, with two races scheduled for next year.”
José Vicente de los Mozos, Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID, added, “IFEMA Madrid is delighted to welcome Santander as a Founding Partner of the Spanish Grand Prix. Having a partner of this calibre is essential to driving forward an event that will mark a turning point in the history of F1 in Spain.”
The Madrid race will take place on the Madring, a 5.47-kilometre hybrid circuit built around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre near the city’s airport. For F1, the track will feature 20 corners, a premium paddock complex with a race tower and office spaces, alongside extensive VIP hospitality and entertainment zones. Organisers expect initial daily attendance to exceed 110,000 spectators, with plans to scale capacity to 140,000, placing Madrid among the highest-capacity venues on the calendar.
Santander’s involvement in Formula 1 spans more than 15 years, including past partnerships with teams such as Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren. Since the start of 2025, the bank has also served as Williams Racing and F1’s official retail banking partner, reinforcing visibility for both the Santander and Openbank brands across key global markets.
Meanwhile, Spain’s other Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is reportedly close to securing a contract renewal beyond 2026. Spanish media reports suggest the Barcelona event could remain on the calendar until 2032 on a rotational basis, potentially sharing dates with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Under the proposed terms, the renamed Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix would pay an annual hosting fee of around €28 million, reflecting fee increases introduced by F1 rights holder Liberty Media.
With Formula 1 capped at 24 races per season, the championship continues to explore rotation models to accommodate new hosts while preserving established European venues. Recent calendar adjustments underline that approach, as Formula 1 balances global expansion with the commercial and operational value of long-standing circuits.
