Italy hosts Formula 1 sports diplomacy event in Madrid

The Italian Ambassador to Madrid, Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, hosted a sports diplomacy event titled ‘De Italia a Madrid: La Pasión Viaja en Fórmula 1’ at the embassy gardens. Organized in collaboration with ICE and IFEMA-Madrid, the event highlighted Italian excellence in the automotive and motorsport sectors, specifically focusing on the productive and cultural heritage of the Motor Valley.

Key attendees included Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, IFEMA-Madrid President José Vicente de los Mozos, Dallara CEO Andrea Pontremoli, Automobile Club d’Italia President Geronimo La Russa, and Scuderia Ferrari Deputy Team Principal Jérôme D’Ambrosio. Approximately 400 representatives from Italian and Spanish institutions, business leaders from companies such as Ferrari, Pirelli, Marelli, and Pininfarina, as well as academic and technological experts, were in attendance.

The event coincided with the return of the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix to Madrid on September 10, marking its first appearance in the city in 45 years. The gathering aimed to showcase Italy as a global leader in technological innovation, specialized human capital training, and high-performance industrial design, while strengthening economic and cultural ties between Italy and Spain.