FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 22, 2022 Red Bull's Max Verstappen crosses the line to win the race Pool via REUTERS/Manu Fernandez
(Reuters) - Madrid has officially expressed an interest in hosting a Formula One race, the city's regional government announced on Thursday.
Although there are no Formula One-grade tracks in Madrid and Spain already hosts a race in Barcelona, which has a contract until 2026, the Spanish capital believes it can open talks with Formula One organisers, Liberty Media, about hosting a race.
"I would like to confirm our commitment to you and to this project, as well as our willingness to sign the appropriate agreements to promote the race and offer a great sporting and entertainment spectacle," local government cabinet minister Enrique Lopez wrote in a letter to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Further details about the bid were not disclosed. Formula One organisers declined to comment.
Madrid hosted F1 Grands Prix between 1968 and 1981 at the Jarama Circuit, which is outdated and would need a major upgrade to be able to host a race again.
Last year, the local government of Morata de Tajuna, 36km south of Madrid, confirmed that it was seeking to build an FIA Grade 1 circuit with the ambition of hosting F1 and MotoGP races in the future.
There are a record 23 Formula One races scheduled this year and while organisers are keen to expand the sport's geographical reach, they have looked primarily at adding venues in Africa and the United States.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Toby Davis)
