The Spanish capital takes centre stage

For the first time since 2012, there are two Spanish racetracks on the Formula 1 calendar, as Madrid takes over hosting duties of the official Spanish Grand Prix, while the race in Barcelona will become the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The last time there were two Spanish circuits on the schedule was between 2008 and 2012, when Valencia held the European Grand Prix.

The Spanish Grand Prix is one of the oldest remaining races in the world, having hosted its first race in 1913. It first appeared as an official round on the F1 calendar in 1951, before joining permanently in 1968. While the race hasn’t always featured on the schedule since then, the Spanish Grand Prix has now featured on every calendar since 1986.

Located only 16km away from the city centre, the Madring is much closer than the last race to be hosted in the Spanish capital, over 40 years ago at Jarama, 30km north of Madrid. It will become the sixth circuit to host the Spanish Grand Prix. McLaren have won at four of those tracks, with nine victories in total, including at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, when Oscar won from Pole.

This semi-permanent street track, situated in the centre of the Barajas district around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition, is 5.474 km long and comprises 22 corners. The circuit promises several overtaking-inviting corners, including the first, fifth and 13th turns, but the most notable corner looks set to be the La Monumental curve, with proposals suggesting that it will become F1’s longest banked corner, while there is also a Monaco-esque tunnel.