Jun.13 (GMM) Despite months of official denials about delays, fresh doubts have emerged about Madrid’s readiness for its Formula 1 debut later this year.
The new Madring circuit recently passed an FIA inspection and organisers have consistently insisted preparations remain on schedule.
However, Royal Spanish Automobile Federation (RFEdA) president Manuel Avino has now acknowledged that time is becoming tight.
“The truth is I’m very excited, with high expectations, but also a bit nervous, because we’re not exactly rolling in terms of deadlines in many aspects,” he told Soy Motor.
“But I’m convinced it will work out, and it will work out well.”
With less than three months remaining before Formula 1 arrives, Avino admitted the project has encountered a series of unexpected obstacles.
“Things aren’t going as we’d like, but they’re not going badly either,” he said. “Unexpected and unwanted problems are arising, but we’re finding alternative solutions.”
The most significant setback is the cancellation of a planned test race that was intended to give organisers and officials a full dress rehearsal before Formula 1’s arrival.
“I had planned a test run, which, due to various circumstances regarding legislative permits, couldn’t take place,” Avino revealed.
“It will be replaced by a series of technical tests that will allow us to reach the weekend of September with the confidence that we’ve done a good job and that everything will be operational.”