The most important facts & stats ahead of the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix

Madring prepares for its Formula 1 debut

Round 14 of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place this weekend at the brand-new Madring, where Madrid will host the Spanish Grand Prix as the championship returns to the capital for the first time in more than 40 years.

The circuit measures 5.416 kilometres and will stage its first Grand Prix in 2026. There is no lap record, pole-position record or win record yet. The pole run to the braking point for Turn 1 is just 200 metres, immediately placing the opening phase of qualifying and the race start under focus.

Madrid has hosted Formula 1 before. The Circuito del Jarama, north of the capital, held nine World Championship rounds between 1968 and 1981.

For a broader look at the new venue, see our guide to what F1 fans can expect from the brand-new Madring circuit.

The statistics

• First Grand Prix – 2026
• Track Length – 5.416km
• Lap record – N/A
• Most pole positions – N/A
• Most wins – N/A
• Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 200 metres
• Safety Car probability – N/A
• Virtual Safety Car probability – N/A
• Pit stop time loss – N/A

A demanding first test for the tyres

Pirelli has selected the C2, C3 and C4 compounds for the weekend, designated as the hard, medium and soft tyres respectively. The first sector is very fast, while the second combines medium- and low-speed corners, including the banked Turn 12. The final section features several 90-degree corners with a character similar to those encountered in Baku.

From an energy perspective, Madring ranks among the five most demanding circuits on the calendar. Its lateral forces are comparable in intensity to those recorded at Barcelona and Silverstone, while the “Monumental” generates the season’s highest vertical load because of its banking and length.

Tyre grip will also be a central concern. The asphalt is very smooth and offers relatively low grip, so it has been treated with high-pressure water jets to remove dust and oily residues associated with newly laid surfaces.

Pirelli began assessing the tyre forces three years ago, using the proposed layout to model trajectories and loads. After construction, engineers measured the asphalt’s macro- and micro-roughness, refined the simulations and prepared a technical briefing for the teams.