With six months remaining until the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit in Madrid, construction is progressing on schedule for the September 13, 2026, event. The hybrid track, incorporating public roads and a permanent facility, features an iconic banked corner designed to define the venue's identity. Organizers anticipate up to 400,000 attendees, despite some local opposition.
The Madring circuit, set to host Formula 1's newest race, is taking shape at the Institución Ferial de Madrid convention center in the city's northeast. Announced in January 2024, the 10-year deal shifts the Spanish Grand Prix from Barcelona to Madrid, with Barcelona-Catalunya operating on a biennial basis starting this year.
The 3.34-mile layout includes 22 turns and utilizes both permanent track sections and public roads across a 1.7 million square meter site. A standout feature is La Monumental, a 547-meter looping right-hand corner banked at 24 degrees, steeper than Zandvoort's final turn but less than Daytona's banking. General manager Luis García Abad described it as 'quite iconic,' comparing it to renowned corners worldwide. The track will also include two tunnels, a rarity shared only with Monaco and Abu Dhabi.
Construction began last spring and is slated for completion by the end of May, followed by installation of nearly 100,000 grandstand seats and hospitality areas. Asphalt laying is underway, with gravel already in place. A test event in August will verify operations, including electronics, marshal points, and recovery vehicles, potentially behind closed doors. The FIA has been involved throughout and will provide final approval.
Madrid native and Williams driver Carlos Sainz contributed to the design, suggesting apex positions for better overtaking, while his father, rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr., offered feedback during visits. Fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso, with Aston Martin, may also benefit, though both teams faced challenging preseasons.
Over 80,000 tickets are sold, with projections nearing 400,000 for the weekend, rivaling major events like Silverstone and Melbourne. However, protests last September highlighted neighborhood concerns near Puerta del Sol. Abad emphasized accessibility via public transport and the event's role in F1's push for destination cities since Liberty Media's 2017 takeover.
'We are trying to recruit the right people,' Abad said, drawing from his experience at over 400 F1 races to avoid reinventing processes, much like Miami and Las Vegas refined their debuts.
