Opponents of Madrid’s newly constructed Formula One circuit have accused the regional authorities of putting profit before people’s wellbeing after tests for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the track later this month yielded noise levels that were almost twice the legal decibel limit. The regional government of Madrid and the city council are hoping that the 5.4km-long (3.3 miles) Madring circuit – which has been built in the north-east of the Spanish capital at a cost of €83m (£71m) – will attract visitors, boost the local economy and put the city firmly on the motor racing map. The Madring bills itself as “a perfectly connected circuit: just 20 minutes from the city centre”.
But recent track tests using Formula Three cars have worried local people who are taking legal action over the construction of the circuit and the noise it is expected to generate. The Stop F1 Madrid platform, which was formed a year ago, said neighbours had recorded average noise levels of 102.7 decibels during the tests, with peaks of between 107.7 and 109.1 decibels. The maximum noise level permitted in residential areas is 55 decibels.
He said there had been complaints from people who argued it was impossible for them to work remotely during the tests, adding: “We’ve also spoken to people who have children with autism and they had to get them out of the area because of [all the distress].” One of the group’s biggest worries is the huge numbers of people expected to descend on the area for the grand prix itself, putting an enormous strain on public transport and the local area. Borja Carabante, Madrid’s city councillor for urban planning, mobility and the environment, said measures, such as acoustic panels, would be put in place to minimise noise during the grand prix on 11-13 September. He also said that the Formula Three cars used to test the track “make and emit more noise than Formula One cars, so there’ll be less noise on 13 September than there was during the tests”.
Carabante said the city council would work to ensure traffic disruption was kept to a minimum. But he called on the people of Madrid to celebrate the arrival of Formula One in the city: “We should be congratulating ourselves that Madrid is hosting such an important and significant event that will put us at the epicentre of great sporting events. It’s amazing news for all the people of Madrid and it’s putting Madrid on the map.” The regional minister for housing, transport, and infrastructure, Jorge Rodrigo, said the event would be of huge economic benefit for Madrid, and well worth one weekend’s disruption.
According to Stop F1 Madrid , more than 700 trees have been felled or moved to make way for the track, while María Ángeles Nieto, a spokesperson for the Madrid Environmentalist platform, said a seasonal wetland that was home to amphibian species had been destroyed.
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