Video: Carlos Sainz completes first laps of Madrid’s new Formula 1 circuit

The future home of the Spanish Grand Prix moved one step closer to reality as Carlos Sainz completed the first demonstration laps of the new Madring circuit.

The 5.4-kilometre track, located around the IFEMA exhibition centre near Madrid’s Barajas Airport, is still under construction. However, with the asphalt now in place, Sainz was able to drive the layout in a 450bhp Ford Mustang GT as preparations continue for Formula 1’s arrival in September 2026.

Formula 1 shared a video of Sainz’s run on its official social media channels. During the demonstration, Lawrence Barretto from F1 TV sat in the passenger seat to experience the circuit first-hand.

Sainz, who serves as an ambassador for the event, said the circuit is quicker than it appears on paper.

“It’s faster than it looks,” said the Spaniard in the published video.

The Madring will feature 22 corners and a mix of public roads and purpose-built sections. According to Sainz, the opening part of the lap includes overtaking opportunities at Turns 1 and 5, although efficient battery management will play an important role.

The most spectacular section of the circuit is Turn 12, a heavily banked corner known as “La Monumental.” Inspired by a bullring, the corner features a 24 percent gradient and is expected to be taken almost flat-out in a Formula 1 car.

“We’ll go in flat out, though we might lift off a bit in the middle to get the front end to grip,” Sainz said.

“This is what impressed me the most. I thought La Monumental would just have banking, but suddenly it’s not only banked – it’s also blind. You’ve created quite a cocktail.”

After exiting the banking, drivers will face another likely overtaking opportunity at Turn 13 before tackling a series of high-speed corners that Sainz compared to famous sections of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone Circuit.

The Madrid circuit will host the Spanish Grand Prix under a 10-year agreement running from 2026 to 2035. Meanwhile, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will remain on the Formula 1 calendar on a rotational basis, with races scheduled for 2028, 2030 and 2032.