Work is ongoing around the clock as organisers of Madrid’s 2026 Spanish Grand Prix are bullish on their chances of getting Formula 1’s latest venue ready in time – in the face of local resistance.
Just over a month ago, construction began on the Madring circuit. The track is set to make its F1 debut next September, using a hybrid of existing streets and a purpose-built road course section around the IFEMA fairgrounds and Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex.
Although it’s early days, it is already taking shape and the Madring’s most ambitious part is La Monumental, a steep, flat out banking lined by what will be a massive grandstand.
A huge amount of landscaping is required to whip the corner into shape, which will see cars descending into the banking.
“At La Monumental we’ve already dug down three-and-a-half metres of the six metres we need to excavate,” said a representative from IFEMA, which is overseeing the works alongside Circuito de Madrid.
“That corner will have a 24 percent banking over 540 metres. It’s going to be quite a beast of a turn,” added Luis Garcia Abad, Madring’s general manager.
Madring layout for Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix
Around 85 workers are on-site at the moment, a number which will grow to 400 when all areas are under active construction.
“We’re moving over 10,000 square metres of earth just during the daytime shift, and we’ll likely reach 12,000 or 13,000. In total, we need to move 700,000,” the IFEMA spokesperson added.
“Each area has its own team. We haven’t divided the project by phases, but by zones. We expected to finish [the Valdebebas area] in September, and now we’re on track to complete it by August. So, we’re actually ahead of schedule by a month.”
No track limits issues
As it is a brand-new venue, the organisers have made clear that the Dromo designed circuit will not inherit some of the legacy problems racing circuits and series are currently dealing with: track limits.
Garcia Abad, Fernando Alonso’s former manager, has promised there will not be endless discussions about the topic.
“This circuit is being born with the concept of track limits [issues] being banned,” he said. “Since we’re building it from scratch, we don’t have to inherit outdated solutions.”
Madring construction Turn 8
Spain’s other active F1 driver, Williams’ Carlos Sainz, is the event’s official ambassador. But rather than just cutting ribbons and engaging in marketing activities, Sainz has also provided his input on the circuit design itself.
F1 has come under criticism from fans and drivers alike over the increasing number of street circuits, so the Madrid organisers are keen to ensure their venue has an appealing and challenging layout.
With the Spaniard’s and the FIA’s input, some corners have already been reviewed, including the entry to Turn 1 and the apex of Turn 5.
“The layout itself doesn’t change, but small details could help improve the show,” Garcia Abad said, although he admitted simulating the circuit is not that straight-forward because F1 will switch to vastly different cars next year, and their exact characteristics are still unclear.
“We can’t use today’s cars because the regulations change in 2026,” he added. “Nobody knows exactly what they’ll be like. It might even be possible to overtake from Turn 21 to 22. That’s why everyone is simulating, but cautiously. The teams have received all the information — radii, widths, banking. It shouldn’t be an issue for them.”
But what about the neighbours?
Construction of the circuit must be completed by 30 May 2026, after which the FIA will carry out its homologation process, with two official inspections planned during the works. But it’s not just the FIA and FOM that need to be convinced. The fledgling circuit also faces fierce criticism from groups of locals.
Madring construction
The regional, progressive Mas Madrid party launched a legal challenge against the circuit’s construction licence, which it argues was fast-tracked through with a simplified environmental impact statement.
It also argues the event, which will be held annually for at least 10 years until 2035, is set to disrupt the neighbourhood for months each year, and there are concerns over noise levels. There are also still lingering questions over how the event will be funded. One representative likened the project to the ill-fated monorail from The Simpsons. Mas Madrid’s legal challenge was dismissed by the city’s high court earlier this week.
Organisers have understood that integration with the city has to be a top priority to make the event work in the long term and have promised the construction process will be made as sustainable as possible.
“We hold monthly meetings with the residents of Valdebebas and Las Carcavas. The relationship is very good. The streets won’t be closed for five months, as was claimed — only during the grand prix days,” the circuit director assured. “We’re even considering offering discounted tickets to the most affected neighbours.”
The Madring still has a long way to go, on a road that might yet have more twists and turns than anticipated. But for now, work continues at pace on F1’s latest grand prix venue.
