Madrid Formula 1 Roars Back In Top Gear
This weekend saw Madrid´s return to the world of Formula 1 Grand Prix racing after a 45 year hiatus.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed the podium top spot for Mercedes at the newly built Madring circuit in front of an estimated 150,000 spectactors.
Some 350,000 people attended over the course of the three day event including King Felipe and the Royal Family.
Sunday’s race was the first Formula 1 Grand Prix held in the capital since 1981.
The new 5.4-kilometre circuit combines existing roads around the IFEMA exhibition complex and Valdebebas district.
The venue has a 10-year contract to host the Spanish Grand Prix and forms part of Formula 1’s increasing emphasis on major city-based events that combine racing with tourism, hospitality and entertainment.
The Madrid authorities said that the three-day event generated some €450 million for the city.
The event did draw some criticism for the high admission prices with the cheapest starting at €195 and grandstand ackages ranging from €324 to almost €790.
In adition local residents demonstrated ahead of Sunday’s race, with protesters wearing yellow shirts and carrying banners opposing the event.
Residents in areas close to the circuit had complained for months about construction work, road closures, traffic disruption, the environmental impact and, in particular, noise.
The Stop F1 Madrid campaign said measurements taken during Formula 3 testing before the Grand Prix had recorded average levels of more than 102 decibels, with peaks above 109 decibels.
The legal noise limit in Madrid is 55 decibels.
Regional and city authorities have defended the project, arguing that the international exposure, tourism and economic activity generated by Formula 1 justify the disruption.
Formula 1 with its noise – is back in Madrid.
