Montmeló, Motorland Aragon, Morata? Yes, that’s correct, Madrid is the next Spanish city to set its sights on both Formula One and MotoGP with a plan to build a state-of-the-art FIA Grade 1 circuit just outside the capital, at Morata de Tajuña.

Intending to join the likes of Valencia, Jeréz and Barcelona as hosts to both national and international motorsport, ’Circuito de Morata’ is an ambitious, and reportedly privately-funded, project conceived by a group of Spanish investors with previous links to the Guadix track.

More than five years in the making and having already amassed a budget of around €12-15 million, as well as securing the necessary land required in the form of a deserted limestone quarry, the project has recently submitted the relevant documentation to the Community of Madrid and is currently awaiting its urban planning qualification and construction license, however this could take up to 18 months to complete.

“I don’t think there will be any difficulty in getting it approved because it is going to be done in an environment that is already highly degraded and with absolutely unproductive land,” said Mayor Angel Sanchez.

The sunken quarry site providing further advantage by ensuring a natural reduction in noise pollution for the surrounding area.

“In these quarries there is nothing for many kilometres around and it can be perfect for the motorcycling or motor racing fans. In fact, the project has the support of the Spanish Motorcycling and Motor Racing Federations.

“The idea is to run the circuit for 280 days a year,” Sanchez continued, “and not only to have motorsport events, but even concerts in the summer.”

Talk of extending plans to include a hotel, petrol station, karting track, F1 simulator and museum, will bring much needed regeneration to a currently economically depressed area, while the proposed 80,000 seat capacity circuit is utilising influences from both Spanish and international layouts in its design.

The track is expected to be 4.5kms in length, include a 650m straight, a 30,000 square meter paddock area housing around 30 boxes, VIP and hospitality rooms and an indoor restaurant, with the entire project expected to take three to five years to come to fruition.

“All these actions require an infinite number of favourable reports. Imagine that, for example, there is a livestock route that has to be diverted or a native species of bird or an archaeological site is discovered. We have to wait, but I am happy and confident,” Sanchez concluded.