Lorraine Williamson
Formula 1 has returned to Madrid for the first time in 45 years, with the new Madring circuit making its debut this weekend as the Spanish Grand Prix gets underway. The first Formula 1 practice session took place on Friday afternoon, with a second session scheduled for 17:00 before qualifying on Saturday and the main race on Sunday.
Madrid last hosted Formula 1 at the Jarama circuit in 1981. The new Madring venue, built around IFEMA and Valdebebas, marks the return of the championship to the Spanish capital and will host the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026.
The circuit combines sections of public road with purpose-built track and stretches for around 5.4 kilometres through 22 corners. One of its most distinctive sections is the long banked Turn 12, known as La Monumental, which has a gradient of around 24%.
When is the Madrid Formula 1 race?
Friday is devoted to practice, with the second F1 session beginning at 5.00 pm.
On Saturday, the final practice session starts at 12:30, followed by qualifying at 4.00 pm.
The inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at Madring then begins at 3.00 pm on Sunday 13 September, with drivers completing 57 laps of the new circuit.
Around 345,000 spectators expected
Madrid is expecting around 345,000 spectators over the three-day weekend, making the event one of the largest sporting occasions staged in the capital this year.
City authorities estimate that the Grand Prix could generate around €450 million in economic activity each year and support approximately 8,000 direct jobs.
The event is centred around IFEMA, Corralejos and Valdebebas, close to Madrid-Barajas Airport and the districts of Barajas and Hortaleza.
Traffic restrictions around Madring
The scale of the event means significant traffic disruption is expected around IFEMA and Valdebebas throughout the weekend.
Spain’s DGT has classified the Grand Prix as an event with a high impact on traffic and is advising motorists who are not travelling to the circuit to avoid roads around Madring where possible.
Drivers are being encouraged to use alternative routes, while people working in the affected area are being advised to consider teleworking. Guardia Civil traffic officers and aerial surveillance units are also being deployed throughout the weekend.
Public transport has been reinforced, including Metro, Cercanías, city and intercity buses, and five free EMT shuttle services connecting different parts of Madrid with the circuit.
A new chapter for Formula 1 in Spain
Although this is Madring’s first Formula 1 race, Madrid has a long history with the sport.
Jarama hosted nine Formula 1 World Championship rounds between 1968 and 1981, but the Spanish Grand Prix later became synonymous with Barcelona.
Madring now begins a new chapter, with the Madrid venue scheduled to host Formula 1 for at least the next decade.
For spectators, the biggest test this weekend may be getting to and from the circuit. For the drivers, it will be learning a completely new track at racing speed for the first time.