Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía make their Madrid F1 debut

Madrid is at the center of the Formula 1 world this weekend as the Spanish Grand Prix returns to the capital after 45 years. Among the thousands of fans taking in the action on Sunday were three special guests: King Felipe, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.

Following his return from the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V, Felipe headed to one of the season’s most anticipated sporting events with his daughters by his side.

The appearance marked a royal first for Leonor, 20, and Sofía, 19. It was the first time the sisters had attended a Formula 1 race in an official capacity, making their paddock visit an especially memorable moment as F1 returned to Madrid.

Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía Make Their Formula 1 Debut

In one of the Royal Family’s most relaxed outings in recent memory, Felipe arrived at Madrid’s new circuit with Leonor and Sofía, sharing with them his longtime passion for motorsports.

Queen Letizia was notably absent, but the father-daughter outing offered a rare glimpse of the easy rapport between the King and his daughters as they enjoyed a day at the track at the start of the new academic year.

For their visit to the paddock, the royals struck an effortlessly polished note as they posed alongside two of Spanish motorsport’s biggest names, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.

The occasion was particularly significant for the royal sisters. Their Formula 1 debut came as Madrid welcomed the championship back to the capital nearly half a century after its last race there.

King Felipe, Leonor and Sofía Get an Inside Look at Formula 1

One of the highlights of the royal visit came when King Felipe, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía stepped inside the garage for an up-close look at the Formula 1 Safety Car.

Accompanied by circuit officials, the three examined the Mercedes-AMG safety vehicle and listened closely as they learned about the technology, performance and preparation behind one of the most important cars on the track.

Throughout the day, Felipe remained attentive to his daughters, and the warmth between the three was unmistakable. They chatted, exchanged smiles and took in the action together, clearly enjoying the chance to experience a landmark day for Formula 1 in Madrid.

Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía’s Formula 1 Paddock Style

For her paddock debut, Leonor chose a fresh, understated look, wearing a sleeveless dusty-pink top with a fitted smocked waist and flowing, high-waisted white wide-leg pants. A coordinating clutch completed the ensemble.

Sofía, meanwhile, opted for head-to-toe white, pairing a flattering long-sleeved V-neck blouse with wide-leg pants. A slim brown leather belt and matching clutch added contrast to the monochromatic look.

Their father was equally polished in his signature relaxed style. Felipe wore a beige jacket over a light-blue open-collar shirt with navy pants and classic dark sunglasses, giving his tailored look a sportier finish perfectly suited to a day at the racetrack.

The Royal Household Confirms the Family’s Spanish Grand Prix Appearance

The Royal Household had confirmed the family’s attendance ahead of the event, announcing, “Don Felipe, accompanied by the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía, will attend the Formula 1 TAG Heuer … on Sunday, September 13, at the new circuit.”

In a separate statement, the palace underscored the official nature of the appearance: “His Majesty the King, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Doña Sofía, will attend the Spanish Grand Prix.”

Sunday’s race is also one of the family’s final outings before Leonor and Sofía settle back into their academic routines. Leonor has begun a degree in Political Science at Carlos III University of Madrid, while Sofía is preparing to return to France for her second year of college, this time at Forward College’s Paris campus.

Formula 1 Returns to Madrid After 45 Years

The Royal Family’s presence at the newly opened Madring semi-street circuit added to the significance of a weekend that has brought Formula 1 back to Madrid after a 45-year absence.

The capital last hosted a Formula 1 race in 1981, when Gilles Villeneuve won at the Jarama circuit. The new 5.4-kilometer course, including the much-talked-about “La Monumental” turn, has generated enormous anticipation among fans.

Spanish supporters have turned out in force for both Fernando Alonso and Madrid native Carlos Sainz. Sainz entered Sunday’s race following a difficult qualifying session and made no attempt to disguise his disappointment afterward. “It was a very bad qualifying session,” he admitted.

Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía’s Lifelong Passion for Sports

Sports have long held a special place in Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía’s public lives, making their appearance in the Formula 1 paddock a natural fit. Both sisters have been enthusiastic supporters of Spanish athletes and national teams since childhood.

Most recently, they celebrated Spain’s victory in the 2026 World Cup final and joined in the festivities with the team. Those more spontaneous appearances have come alongside their increasingly prominent institutional duties, including the traditional reception at Marivent Palace and a meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Royal Palace.

Their history as devoted fans stretches back to 2010. Leonor was four and Sofía just three when they celebrated Spain’s World Cup triumph in South Africa at Zarzuela Palace, trying to lift the trophy alongside goalkeeper Iker Casillas. It became an enduring image of the young princesses, one they would revisit after Spain won Euro 2012.

As they have grown older, their involvement has become increasingly public. In 2022, the sisters traveled to Brentford for the Women’s European Championship, marking their first official trip abroad without their parents, to cheer on Spain. A year later, Sofía was on the field in Sydney celebrating with the national team after its historic Women’s World Cup victory.

Their enthusiasm was just as evident at the Paris Olympics in 2024, where they cheered on Spanish stars including Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.

Their commitment to Spanish sports is more than ceremonial. During the 2026 Princess of Girona Awards, organizers moved the event to an earlier time so the entire Royal Family could watch Spain’s crucial match ahead of the World Cup final.

From soccer stadiums and Olympic venues to the Formula 1 paddock, Leonor and Sofía have become familiar faces at some of Spain’s biggest sporting moments. It is a passion they clearly share with their father. King Felipe attended the Formula E race at Jarama in March, and on Sunday, the three brought that shared enthusiasm to Madring for a historic day of racing in the Spanish capital.