Formula 1 returns to Madrid this weekend, marking an event that takes place 45 years after the last race held in the Spanish capital. This time, the competition will be contested on a new track, the semi-permanent Madring circuit, located near the city's exhibition center.
The Spanish Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday at 10 am Brasília time. Track activities will begin this Friday (the 11th) with the first two free practice sessions. The weekend will follow the usual format, including three free practice sessions, qualifying on Saturday, and the main 57-lap race on Sunday.
A notable feature of this edition is the absence of prior data, as the layout has never been used in races. This means there are no records of laps, setup history, or rubber deposited on the asphalt, which should significantly impact the grip between the first free practice and qualifying. Drivers and engineers base their strategies solely on simulator-generated data.
In the title fight, Kimi Antonelli arrives in Madrid following a victory in the Italian GP, held in Monza, where he achieved the win starting from 19th position. The Mercedes Italian driver currently leads the championship with 267 points, maintaining a 66-point lead over his teammate, George Russell, who is in second place with 201 points. Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris follow, with 76 and 96 points, respectively, behind the leader. This stage will conclude the European season of the year.
The race also has strong local appeal, featuring Carlos Sainz, born in Madrid and ambassador of the circuit, being the only driver on the grid who has competed at Madring before. Fernando Alonso complements the Spanish representation in the race.
Organizers have reported that tickets for the event are sold out, with an estimated audience of approximately 130,000 people per day. Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto participates in the round representing Audi, which began its participation as a factory team this year, replacing Sauber.
Regarding broadcasting in Brazil, Globo holds the Formula 1 rights from 2026, according to the contract valid until 2028. The broadcaster will air 15 races of the season on open television, with the Spanish GP being one of them. However, the free practices and qualifying session will be exclusive to subscription TV channels and streaming platforms.
Historically, Madrid has hosted nine editions of the Spanish GP, all held at the Jarama circuit, located in the periphery of the capital. The last of these editions took place in 1981, and was won by Gilles Villeneuve in one of the Canadian driver's most memorable races. The agreement signed between Madring and Formula 1 extends until 2035, and this will be the second event held in Spanish soil during 2026, after the Barcelona round in June.