Barranquilla is reviving its long-held dream of hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix for Colombia. The local administration, led by Mayor Alejandro Char, has announced the reactivation of the city’s bid to join the world championship motorsports calendar—an objective that would combine sporting spectacle with a major economic and tourism boost for the region.
Despite differences with President Gustavo Petro’s national government on the issue, the mayor said yesterday that the project depends solely on his administration and that state approval is no longer required. With this, the aspirations of the capital of Colombia’s Caribbean region are being renewed and are now framed under a logic of municipal autonomy and the direct interest of Formula 1 organizers in exploring alternatives in emerging markets.
In the most recent talks, Formula 1 delegates visited Barranquilla to assess the city’s potential as a race host, focusing on a semi-urban circuit running along the Magdalena River and connecting with the Gran Malecón. This renewed push comes at a time when the city is drawing attention for other international bids—such as hosting the 2026 Copa Sudamericana final—and is seeking to establish itself as a hub for global events in the Caribbean region.
The possibility that top-tier single-seaters could race on Colombian soil has reignited interest and expectations among government officials, business leaders, and fans alike, sparking a debate over what it would mean for Barranquilla and for Colombia to open a new chapter in the history of motorsports.
Barranquilla sets its sights on hosting Colombia’s Formula 1 Grand Prix
Barranquilla’s aspiration to host a Formula 1 race did not emerge overnight. The project has its roots in earlier efforts, when under the administration of then-mayor Jaime Pumarejo concrete possibilities were explored to bring the championship to the city.
During that stage, there were direct conversations with representatives of the category, and possible semi-urban layouts were designed around the Magdalena River waterfront. Even figures linked to motorsport and to the organization expressed enthusiasm for Barranquilla’s potential as the venue for a “Caribbean Grand Prix.”
However, political and logistical factors at the time stalled the project’s realization, and the lack of an official letter from the national government was perceived as a key obstacle. Today, with an administration determined to take the reins of the process, that barrier has shifted.
Mayor Char has emphasized that progress on the bid now depends almost exclusively on agreements between the Mayor’s Office and Formula 1 organizers, without requiring direct approval from the national executive branch. This municipal autonomy is seen as a strategic advantage, capable of speeding up negotiations and presenting a proposal that is more agile and better tailored to the category’s needs.
Despite the enthusiasm and interest shown by Formula 1 representatives, not all aspects of the project are straightforward. Among the most frequently cited drawbacks by the Barranquilla administration is the city’s airport infrastructure. The international airport serving Barranquilla, Ernesto Cortissoz, has been identified as insufficient to meet the demands of an event on the scale of a motor racing Grand Prix.
Formula 1 delegates, according to statements by the mayor, have indicated that the current conditions of the air terminal and its facilities do not meet expected standards, raising the need for investments or significant improvements in this area.
Beyond logistical challenges, the project’s backers defend its economic potential. Formula 1 is far more than a race; it is a magnet for high-spending tourism, global sponsorships, international media coverage, and urban development. Cities such as Miami have shown how the presence of the top tier of motorsport can transform a destination’s international perception and attract investment.
For Barranquilla, a Grand Prix would mean not only an expansion of its sports and cultural offerings, but also a direct impact on sectors such as hotels, restaurants, commerce, and services, with the arrival of thousands of visitors over a race weekend.
The layout and identity of a Caribbean Grand Prix
Preliminary proposals for the circuit in Barranquilla envision a semi-urban layout that takes advantage of distinctive features of the city: its geography, its waterfront, and its proximity to the Magdalena River. The idea of a circuit that runs through emblematic areas, rather than a traditional closed track, seeks to create a unique experience for both drivers and spectators.
This connection with the urban and natural environment could be one of the attractions that appeal to Formula 1, which in recent years has shown interest in diversifying its venues and exploring new markets.
The dream of organizing a Grand Prix in Barranquilla still faces many challenges ahead, from technical and financial agreements to improvements in key infrastructure. However, the reactivation of the bid under a locally driven approach conveyed by Mayor Char has renewed expectations and placed Barranquilla once again in the international conversation of motorsport.
If the proposal continues to move forward, the roar of the engines could become yet another symbol of the city’s Caribbean ambition to establish itself on the map of major global events.