Charles Leclerc is excited about Formula 1’s debut at Madring, the new street circuit in Madrid that will host the Spanish Grand Prix in 2026. After completing a filming day with Ferrari at the track, the Monegasque praised the venue and stated that the circuit’s characteristics match his driving style.

Madrid carried out major construction work to bring F1 to an urban circuit. Nicknamed Madring and located in the Valdebebas district, the 5.4 km track is situated near the IFEMA exhibition center, combining public roads with sections built specifically for the event.

Although it is a street circuit, Madring is a high-speed track featuring the banked turn known as La Monumental. After completing the filming day with Ferrari at the site, Leclerc revealed during a press conference attended by GRANDE PRÊMIO in Belgium that he enjoyed the new layout and affirmed that its characteristics suit his driving style.

“La Monumental, right? That’s what it’s called. It’s a very special corner and has everything to become one of the most iconic on the calendar. I think in qualifying we’re going to need a lot of courage because we’ll be pushing right on the limit. As for the layout, it suits my style—I generally like street circuits, so I have no doubt I’ll enjoy Madring. But one thing is for sure: you’ll have to take a lot of risks, and that’s something I always love about street tracks,” said Leclerc.

Madrid carried out major construction work to host F1. (Photo: Reproduction/Madring)

“The final corner at Zandvoort is taken flat-out. At Madring, at least for now, it doesn’t look like it will be a full-throttle turn. During the run, I was far from taking it flat-out, mostly due to the dirt on track. But it’s a very interesting corner,” concluded Leclerc.

Formula 1 returns from July 24 to 26 in Budapest, host of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Round 11 of the 2026 season.

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