Overview
- F1 arrives at the new 5.416 km, 22‑corner Madring for the Spanish Grand Prix with the first on‑track F1 running scheduled for Friday practice.
- Turn 12, nicknamed La Monumental, is a long, heavily banked, crested arc that drivers say can briefly leave them looking at the sky and is the main source of concern.
- A recent Formula 3 test produced 19 red flags and several heavy impacts, which teams say underlines the circuit’s tight walls, high kerbs and unforgiving nature.
- Drivers and team figures have warned the track could cause crashes and session stoppages and compared its fast, close‑wall sections to Jeddah and Baku.
- Organisers say the circuit is ready but most teams lack real racing data, so qualifying importance and cautious setups for tyre and suspension durability will shape the weekend.