Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia of Spain were on hand to see a change at one of the country’s biggest sporting events.
For the first time ever, the Spanish Grand Prix was held at Madring, a brand new circuit in the country’s capital.
The Formula One Grand Prix had been held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya since 1991 and the prestigious race hadn’t taken place in Madrid since 1991. The move to Madring was a major event and Spain’s royals gave their support by turning up in numbers.
King Felipe VI accompanied his two daughters to the F1 at a course which can welcome over 100,000 spectators.
Anticipation had been high for this first race at the new track which is a street circuit, incorporating both public roads and non public spaces. It’s built around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre, in the north east of Madrid and it’s been designed for easier accessibility for spectators.
While it was King Felipe who was given the duty of presenting the prizes at the end of the race, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia spent much of their time at the circuit meeting those involved in bringing this major sporting event to life in Madrid.
Spanish stars Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz lined up to meet the royals before the king and his daughters were given a tour of the new circuit in one of the organisers’ vehicles used in the race.
The King of Spain and his daughters headed to the start line where the national anthem was played just before the race got under way.
They then watched the race, won by Kimi Anotnelli, from a VIP area with Felipe VI handing over the winner’s trophy at the end.
However, the race was far from smooth running with several drivers complaining afterwards that the new track made it hard for them to overtake and fans saying that the contest became a procession with little excitement involved.
Leonor and Sofia, who is known for her passion for sports, kept out of the controversy. Both are now at the start of a new year of studying with Leonor beginning classes at Carlos III University in Madrid after completing her military training. Sofia is now at university in Paris after a year in Lisbon.
