FIA Formula 3 adds Madrid test and expands 2026 finale at MADRING
FIA Formula 3 to test MADRING ahead of Madrid debut
The FIA Formula 3 Championship will hold a two-day official in-season test at Madrid’s new MADRING venue on 24–25 August, two weeks before the inaugural FORMULA 1 TAG HEUER GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2026 takes place from 11–13 September.
The test will give teams and drivers the opportunity to assess the new circuit under real track conditions. Its purpose is to validate MADRING’s sporting, operational and safety procedures before the venue hosts Formula 1 and the decisive final round of the FIA Formula 3 season.
The Madrid project has already attracted Formula 1 attention, with Ferrari completing its first F1 laps at the new MADRING circuit. Formula 3’s dedicated running will add a further layer of preparation before the circuit’s first Grand Prix weekend.
Expanded F3 season finale confirmed
The FIA Formula 3 Championship will also stage an expanded final event at MADRING. The revised format has been introduced to reach the number of Events originally planned for the 2026 season following the loss of the race weekend at Bahrain earlier in the year.
The Madrid finale will feature an additional Qualifying session and a second Feature Race, creating a particularly demanding conclusion to the championship.
Revised Madrid schedule
- Friday morning: One 45-minute Free Practice session.
- Friday afternoon: Two consecutive 20-minute Qualifying sessions.
- Saturday morning: Sprint Race, with the reverse-grid order determined by the results of the first Qualifying session.
- Saturday afternoon: First Feature Race, with the starting grid set by the first Qualifying session.
- Sunday morning: Second and final Feature Race of the season, with the grid determined by the second Qualifying session.
Pole position in each Qualifying session will award two points. Both Feature Races will carry the standard points allocation under the FIA Formula 3 Sporting Regulations, increasing the competitive significance of the final weekend.
FIA Formula 3 CEO Bruno Michel described the test as “two very valuable days” for teams and drivers preparing for a new challenge. He also called the enhanced finale “a pretty unique conclusion”, offering an additional opportunity to score points.
Luis García Abad, director of the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, said the test was essential to check safety, operations and sporting delivery under real competition conditions before the Grand Prix debut.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.