EXCLUSIVE: José Mourinho on his love for F1, how racing compares to football, and the Madring’s first Grand Prix

Two worlds came together at last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix when legendary football coach – and long-time F1 fan – José Mourinho paid a visit to the Madring circuit to follow the action.

Ahead of Sunday’s race, which took place just a stone’s throw away from Real Madrid’s training ground, F1.com grabbed a few words with the Portuguese tactician to discuss the Spanish capital’s all-new Grand Prix, his passion for racing, and how F1 compares (and differs) to football…

It’s Saturday night in Madrid and the streets are buzzing with Real fans who, after watching their team beat Inter Milan 2-1 in the Champions League mid-week, expect more of the same from a La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano.

Once inside the 83,000-capacity Bernabéu stadium, Mourinho and his group of star players waste no time in putting on a show – Los Blancos racing into a 3-0 lead by half-time with goals from the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. By the end of the game, a commanding 4-1 scoreline brings them level on points with rivals FC Barcelona at the top of the table.

Some 12 hours later, after a well-earned rest, Mourinho, Bellingham and other team members have swapped that hallowed turf for new ground in the form of the Madring – F1’s hybrid street/permanent circuit built around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre, and less than four kilometres from Madrid’s training pitches.

Mourinho is no stranger to the F1 paddock, having made several visits in previous seasons, including last year’s British Grand Prix, but there is something particularly meaningful for him this time around.

“I’ve enjoyed it [F1] for a while, and I’ve been to a few races, but of course this is the first one [at the Madring],” Mourinho tells F1.com.

“Because I work just around the corner, every day that I was coming to work or leaving work, I was following it, the building [process], and the more we were approaching this day, [there was] more emotion for everybody.”

Given that Mourinho has gone from the football field to the F1 grid on multiple occasions, it begs an obvious question: what do the two sports have in common, and how are they different?

For the 63-year-old, who has also managed Manchester United, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Roma, among other clubs, there is a standout common theme – as well as an area in which he feels football can learn from F1.

“You know, it’s huge pressure for both,” he says thoughtfully. “When you have sports at the highest level, we are always speaking about huge pressure.

“But I feel that they [F1] are one step ahead of us in terms of the way they approach the big moments. [In football] we close each other [off], I believe, too much, also because of tradition.

“These guys [the drivers], [there’s] huge pressure, but before that [time in the car], they are together, they meet people, they do a little bit of PR, they do a little bit of media.

“I think we have to learn with them, the way they can be relaxed, and half an hour later they can be in the car fighting for their lives, because they take risks.”

Since his first managerial stint with Portuguese club Benfica back in 2000, Mourinho has racked up more than 25 major trophies – the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup/Europa League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, other national titles and plenty more, along with a host of individual accolades.

However, what about the hypothetical challenge of leaving football behind and becoming an F1 team boss?

“I have no idea!” Mourinho responds, with his eyes widening at the prospect. “I just have to learn. I learn with [F1 President and CEO] Stefano Domenicali; I ask him lots of questions. I tried to learn with all of them [the people I meet], and I like very much to come [to watch F1].

“It was not possible [on Saturday], because I had a match day, but I like to come for the Qualifyings, I like to come for the training sessions [Free Practices], because then clearly you can be closer, and you can interact more.

“Today is their day, and it’s the day I like to respect their privacy.”

Nonetheless, Mourinho has met and struck up friendships with many F1 drivers and personalities since experiencing the sport for the first time – his tour of the Madring on Sunday still featuring various catch-ups and motorhome visits.

That included conversations with the aforementioned Domenicali, and four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, who was presented with his pole position award by Mourinho at Silverstone in 2025.

“I know almost all of them, and everybody [has been] so nice to me over so many years,” Mourinho continues. “Now we’re coming to some new people, to some new generations, but I always had great respect from them.

“Because, as a family, we are so close to Stefano, it is of course a great way to be invited – we invited ourselves! – and to have always the reception that we have.”

Mourinho’s latest visit might have been a fleeting one, but judging by his comments above, there is no doubt that one of football’s most iconic figures will be back for more in the future.