From next year, F1 spectators will have a new Spanish destination to choose from. Construction has officially started on the Spanish capital’s ‘Madring’ (yes they actually called it that), because as we all know, the one thing F1 needs is more street circuits. Set to join Barcelona in 2026, it will take over the Spanish Grand Prix from 2027. But will it be a fiesta for F1 fans or is it a Valencia 2.0 in the making?
Welcome to the Madring: A Street Circuit (Sort Of)
Built around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre on the city’s northeastern fringe, the circuit will at least be more accessible to fans than the circuit it replaces.
Five minutes from the airport, easy metro access, and no need to stress over hire cars or shuttle buses. That’s the kind of logistics F1 fans dream about while stuck in a two-hour queue to leave the car park at Spa.
Layout and Grandstands
The Madring promises 5.4km of asphalt and 22 corners. It’s a blend of public roads and private land, aiming for that street-circuit-cum-road-circuit hybrid vibe. Think Miami, but with a few more right-angle corners à la Baku.
The Madring isn’t flat though. The climb up Subida de las Carcavas peaks at 697 metres above sea level by Turn 7 before plunging into the technical ‘Bunker’ section.
The showpiece is ‘La Monumental’ at Turn 12: a Zandvoortesque, 24% steeply banked right-hander, inspired by Madrid’s famous bullfighting arena, Las Ventas. It’ll seat up to 45,000 fans nearby, potentially making it one of the best places to grab a grandstand seat for the atmosphere alone.
The layout looks like it could be prone to field spread and processional racing with few obvious overtaking spots. The tight left-hander following the long start / finish straight though, could see some passing and grandstands at turn 1 are likely to be popular regardless once tickets go on sale.
Fan Reactions (And That Virtual Lap)
After the virtual onboard lap video dropped, fan reactions on social media were largely negative. Many expressed concerns about the abundance of tight chicanes, and a general sense that the track lacks character.
Not all the feedback was brutal though and the steep banking at La Monumental got a few approving nods.
The launch wasn’t helped by the virtual lap video released by the race promoter, where their chosen driver – possibly my mum, judging by the sim racing skills – failed to complete one clean lap of the new circuit.
Adiós Barcelona (Maybe)
2026 will see Madrid and Barcelona split hosting duties for the Spanish Grand Prix. What happens beyond that is unclear, but organisers in Madrid seem confident they’re the future.
Whatever the shortcomings of the Circuit de Catalunya (and there are many), its grandstands are some of the best in Europe for track views, so the Madring has a lot to live up to on that front.
Though the racing isn’t always the most thrilling, it’s an endangered classic European-style circuit. Replacing it with another hybrid street track would never sit well with the traditionalists.
We won’t really know how the Madring stacks up until lights out in 2026. After all Vegas and Jeddah were hated before hosting a single race, only for opinions to soften once the real racing started.
Madrid’s circuit is promising a lot: big crowds, easy access, a spectacular banked corner, and an urban energy you can’t get at many European venues. If it can pull it off, the Madring might just turn sceptics into believers and give F1 fans a new favourite city break in the process.
About Me
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 35 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
