Jun.3 (GMM) Formula 1’s new Madrid circuit remains on schedule for its September debut, according to both the FIA and Madring officials.
The FIA carried out an inspection of the venue this week amid persistent speculation that construction delays could threaten the inaugural Spanish GP at the new facility.
Those concerns were dismissed by the governing body.
“As is mandatory when building a new Grade 1 circuit, the FIA organises regular inspections at various stages of the project to ensure that safety requirements are met,” an FIA spokesperson said.
“At the moment, everything is on track and progressing as planned. Another visit is scheduled for August.”
Madring general manager Luis Garcia Abad also insisted the project remains firmly on target.
“We finished paving last week, as planned, and the work was completed according to the contract on May 31st, so everything is in order,” he told Marca.
Addressing repeated rumours of delays, Abad said organisers had preferred to focus on completed milestones. “We’ve gotten this far by delivering things that were already done, not by building castles in the air,” he said.
“The work has progressed on schedule.”
Abad pointed to Carlos Sainz’s recent demonstration run around the circuit as evidence.
“I think that’s pretty good proof that everything’s going to be ready,” he said.
While temporary grandstands, fan zones and support infrastructure still need to be completed, Abad said organisers remain comfortable with the timeline.
“We don’t need to waste any time, but there are still 100 days left, so we’re fairly confident about that,” he said.
Ticket sales are also proving strong.
“At this moment, we’re at 97.3 percent sold, I think, of everything we have in stock,” Abad revealed, indicating attendance could exceed 120,000 spectators.
The former manager of Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz also believes critics have misjudged the character of the new venue.
“The circuit is spectacular,” he said. “I think it was unfairly treated pejoratively with this ‘another street circuit’ nonsense.
“I repeat, it’s not a street circuit, it’s a circuit in the city.”