News Summary
- Carlos Sainz praised Madring’s distinctive layout and said the new Madrid circuit has a “personality” of its own.
- The Williams driver has already experienced the track in the simulator and followed Formula 3’s full test at the venue.
- Sainz believes the first F1 sessions will reveal whether Madring’s unusual characteristics are as demanding as expected.
Carlos Sainz has praised the layout of Madring ahead of Formula 1’s first Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madrid circuit, saying the venue has a distinctive character unlike many of the tracks normally added to the calendar.
The Williams driver, who was born in Madrid, has already experienced the circuit in the simulator and followed Formula 3’s test at the venue. According to Sainz, conversations with other drivers have also created a positive impression ahead of the first F1 laps.
“I think we’ve all driven this track in the simulator and seen what happened in the F3 test. Talking to the drivers, everyone seemed quite impressed with the layout Madrid has created, which creates positive expectations,” Sainz told reporters.
The Spaniard believes Madring does not fit the profile of a conventional circuit added to the calendar without any particularly distinctive features.
“It’s not a normal track, one of those that are simply added to the calendar. It’s something different, with a personality of its own,” Sainz said.
The Williams driver nevertheless stressed that the simulator and junior-category running can only provide part of the picture. F1 teams will have to wait until the opening sessions to discover how the track behaves with the heavier, more powerful 2026 cars.
“We’ll have to see if I’m exaggerating once we start doing a few laps and give our feedback to the FIA and the organizers of this race,” Sainz added.
Madring’s debut has generated additional curiosity after Formula 3’s full test at the venue produced numerous incidents and 19 red flags. The session also left several cars damaged, providing the F1 paddock with an early indication of how demanding the new layout could be.
For Sainz, however, the most important question will be whether the characteristics seen in the simulator and F3 translate to Formula 1.
The new Madrid venue combines a street-circuit environment with sections around the IFEMA exhibition complex and features several distinctive corners, including the heavily banked La Monumental section. The 5.4 km layout has 22 corners and will host its first F1 race this weekend.
The Spanish Grand Prix takes place from September 11-13 and will be the 14th round of the 2026 F1 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO will follow all the action from Madring throughout the weekend.
FAQ
When is the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix?
The Spanish Grand Prix takes place from September 11-13 at Madrid’s new Madring circuit. It will be the first Formula 1 race held at the venue.
What is Madring like?
Madring is a 5.4 km circuit with 22 corners and several distinctive sections, including the heavily banked La Monumental corner. The track combines elements of a street circuit with a permanent-style layout around the IFEMA exhibition complex.
Why is the 2026 Spanish GP being held in Madrid?
Madrid is hosting the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time in 2026 as part of a new agreement with Formula 1. The race forms part of the championship’s expanded calendar and introduces a new circuit to the F1 schedule.
