Madrid GP sells out despite Hamilton overtaking doubts
"It looks like it’s going to be a qualifying lap circuit"
Formula 1’s new Madrid street race has sold out almost two months before its debut, underlining the sport’s commercial momentum even as Lewis Hamilton questions whether the circuit will produce exciting racing.
Organisers confirmed that all 100,000 tickets released so far have been sold, while sponsorship revenue alone has already covered the cost of building the new circuit.
"Everything that goes on sale, sells out," said Jose Vicente de los Mozos, president of Ifema’s executive committee.
"We are not here to organise a race. We are going to propose something that nobody has: an experience that combines sport and entertainment."
Hamilton sampled the new circuit during Ferrari’s recent filming day but is reserving judgement.
"We only did a few laps and it was very dusty, as is typical of a new circuit," he said. "As expected, there was no grip, so the tyres were basically covered in dust the whole time."
The seven-time world champion also suspects overtaking could prove difficult.
"It looks like it’s going to be a qualifying lap circuit. There are practically no straights, so it looks like a difficult place to overtake."
Meanwhile, this weekend’s Belgian GP has also sold out, with a record crowd expected at Spa-Francorchamps.
"The spectators have turned out in force, exceeding all expectations," said Belgian GP promoter Vanessa Maes.
"We’ll be welcoming 115,000 spectators every day. This GP will therefore be sold out."
Maes admitted, however, that Max Verstappen’s more difficult campaign has coincided with a noticeable decline in Dutch support.
"We have far fewer Dutch spectators," she acknowledged.
"We estimate they represent about 10 percent of our audience. So we’re a long way from 50 percent and the famous orange tide."