Madrid F1 circuit faces court appeal over construction permit

Plans for a Formula 1 street race in Madrid have encountered legal resistance, with a local court formally admitting an appeal over the controversial new circuit's approval.

The 22nd Administrative Court of Madrid has accepted a complaint brought by the Plataforma Ecologista Madrilena, via Liberum Natura, targeting the construction licence granted by Madrid City Council for the so-called “Madring” circuit at IFEMA.

The environmental group alleges that the licence approval process was “complex, fragmented and opaque,” and particularly criticises the reliance on temporary activity permits without a full environmental impact assessment.

Several other environmental organisations, including ARBA, GRAMA and Jarama Vivo, have joined the criticism, accusing the city of pushing through a 189 million euro project with a “serious lack of urban and environmental rigour.”

The objections are heightened by the fact that the temporary street circuit is scheduled to be dismantled after ten years. The complaint further argues that the circuit's approval relied on a temporary licence typically used for small-scale, short-term activities, “similar to those granted for the installation of tents during neighbourhood festivals.”

Despite the legal appeal, acting mayor Inma Sanz defended the legitimacy and robustness of the project. “It’s a thoroughly worked-on file,” she said at an event in Moratalaz.

“It has been endorsed by the technical services of Madrid City Council, with up to 131 reports included in this Special Plan.”

Quoting her remarks, Europa Press reported Sanz also highlighted support from higher levels of government: “It has been very well done, not only by the City Council’s technical services but also by other agencies, both within the General State Administration and the Community, which endorse the project being carried out.”