Which F1 Grand Prix races have recently taken place in Madrid?

Madrid will not host a Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first time in its history, having previously hosted F1 races at the Jarama circuit.

Starting in 2026, the streets of Madrid will host the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix, becoming the first circuit built entirely on the capital's roads, although F1 has already raced in the Madrid suburbs, on the Jarama circuit. Jarama, a permanent circuit built in 1967 to the north of the city, was designed by John Hugenholtz, who also created Suzuka and Zandvoort. The 16-turn track was known for its narrow and winding nature. Its first Formula 1 Grand Prix took place in 1968, when British driver Graham Hill took the victory at the wheel of a Lotus-Cosworth. Subsequently, the Spanish Grand Prix alternated between Jarama and the Montjuïc circuit in Barcelona. The Madrid suburb hosted the race again in 1970, 1972, and 1974, before Jarama became the permanent venue. From 1976 to 1981, all Spanish races were held there, with the exception of the 1980 race, which was stripped of its championship status after a dispute between FISA and FOCA; Alan Jones' victory was not counted towards the standings.

The last Grand Prix at Jarama took place on June 21, 1981. Gilles Villeneuve, who started in seventh position, managed to win despite the circuit's notorious difficulty for overtaking, which was rare, as the pole sitter had won all the races from 1974 to 1978. After 80 laps, Villeneuve finished 0.211 seconds ahead of pole sitter Jacques Laffite, with John Watson finishing third, 0.571 seconds behind the Canadian. It was Villeneuve's sixth and final victory. This race was the 349th Grand Prix in Formula 1 history and marked the end of high-level racing in the Madrid region. Forty-five years later, the sport is returning to the capital, this time on a semi-urban circuit.