Before Madring, Madrid already had a Formula 1 circuit: Jarama, in San Sebastián de los Reyes, hosted the Spanish Grand Prix from 1968 to 1981. Today, the track remains active with truck and electric vehicle races.
The Jarama circuit, located in the municipality of San Sebastián de los Reyes, was the first temple of Formula 1 in Madrid. Inaugurated on 1 July 1967, it hosted the Spanish Grand Prix from 1968 to 1981, as reported by elDiario.es. This year, the capital is reviving the competition with the Grand Prix scheduled from 11 to 13 September at the urban circuit of Madring, around Ifema and Valdebebas.
The track, measuring 3.85 kilometres with 13 corners, was designed by the Dutchman Jona Hugenholtz at facilities of the Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE), which still participates in its management today. Its current official name is Circuito de Madrid Jarama - RACE. At the time, it was the only permanent circuit in the entire country and the first to operate since the Civil War.
In addition to F1, Jarama hosted the Motorcycle World Championship at various stages: from 1969 to 1988, and also in 1993 and 1998. After F1 left in 1981, the circuit continued to host Formula 2 and Formula 3 events.
Since 1987, Jarama has been one of the venues for the European Truck Racing Championship, which every October fills the track with large vehicles and the stands with fans. It also hosts electric car competitions, as part of the Jarama 2021 project, which aims to restore the circuit's place in leisure and motorsport.
The last F1 race held at Jarama was on 29 April 1979, with the Frenchman Patrick Depailler on pole. Images from that era show abundant tobacco advertising, now banned, and brands like ENCASO or Longines.
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