New Formula 1 circuit: these are the trickiest sections of the ‘Madring’

It is quite rare for a new circuit to be added to the calendar and for it to be completely uncharted territory for all the teams. Most recently, only two US races featured new circuits on the calendar: Miami in 2022 and Las Vegas in 2023. This year, in 2026, the Madring circuit in the north-east of the Spanish capital, Madrid, is making its Formula 1 debut. Ahead of Sunday’s first race, SPEEDWEEK.com was able to get a sneak peek at the new circuit during a track tour – travelling on the trucks that fans will recognise from the pre-race drivers’ parade on television.

SPEEDWEEK.com ahead of the first GP at the Madring

So what is this mysterious Madring, the subject of so many rumours, actually like? Would it be finished in time, or would protests from local residents get in the way and delay the project? Would the steep bend, designed to be a record-breaking corner, work out? First things first: everything was completed on time.

Pitlane und Podium, gesehen von Start/Ziel

Foto: Rulle

A first look at the Madring: everything’s new – obviously. Even the tarmac. It looked quite slippery, even in trainers. And the track as a whole? Narrow, varied, demanding, but really promising. The weekend promises chaos, surprises and tricky moments for the riders.

The first challenge comes straight after the start!

The first sticking point awaits the riders straight after the start: the first bend is just 200 metres past the start/finish line. And it’s a complex chicane right from the off. Things could get heated here once the race gets underway.

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TV Program

Live

Madrid: Das Rennen Re-Live

FIA Formula One World Championship

13.09.2026 - 17:30

Hier wird's vermutlich in Runde 1 eng: Die Kurvenkombi 1/2

Foto: Rulle

Speaking of time lost: according to the tour guide, the pit lane is the longest on the racing calendar. A tyre change therefore takes a particularly long time. The time taken to drive through at 80 km/h is said to be around 25 seconds.

Die Boxengasse ist in Madrid ungewöhnlich lang

Foto: Rulle

The first part of the circuit is a street circuit, running along ordinary roads at the exhibition centre near Barajas Airport. You can even check the current fuel prices at the side of the track (unleaded at 1.869 euros). Road signs also repeatedly indicate just how close the Madrid motorway network is, along with the airport and sports venues.

Enge Kurve, dahinter die Wände der Messehallen

Foto: Rulle

There are grandstands along the track ranging from the luxury club inside the Monumental hairpin bend to standard grandstands and simpler seating areas.

Ein bisschen Monaco in Madrid: Zwei Tunnel gibt's auf dem Madring

Foto: Rulle

Fans of Monaco will also find two tunnels on the Madrid circuit – albeit shorter than those in the Principality. The highest point of the circuit is at Turn 7. The climb up to it is quite a challenge. Admittedly, there’s only a 10-metre difference in height and an 8 per cent gradient – but hats off to everyone who goes for a jog along the track here in the evening.

Die Monumental! Die starke Neigung kommt im Foto kaum rüber

Foto: Rulle

The real highlight of the circuit is the ‘Monumental’, Turn 12. It is now officially the steepest corner in Formula 1: at 550 metres, it is the longest on the calendar. It has a 24 per cent gradient – and you can really feel that as you drive through it (especially when you’re standing on an open truck that’s leaning to the right). The photos don’t quite capture the steepness of the incline as well as you experience it in real life – but the view of the truck in front of us shows just how steep the bend is.

Die Wege im Paddock sind lang, breit und zahlreich

Foto: Rulle

The Madring is, at least as far as garages, the paddock and other facilities are concerned, practically the antithesis of Monaco. There’s no shortage of space here; if anything, there’s almost too much. The complex is huge.

Einige Teams haben ihre Anlagen draußen

Foto: Rulle

For everyone working in the paddock, the Madring is a circuit characterised by long distances. The teams’ garages are spread across two exhibition halls and an outdoor area. Curiously, because of an administration building right in the middle, there’s also a gap between the garages in the pit lane.

Einige Teams stehen in zwei großen Messehallen (dahinter die Pitlane)

Foto: Rulle

The motorhomes for the hospitality areas are then a good long walk away. The Media Centre is in yet another exhibition hall. The SPEEDWEEK.com reporter received a notification on her smartwatch as early as 11.08 am: ‘Daily step target achieved!’