Madrid’s new temporary street circuit has passed its first major track test, drawing praise from international drivers just 17 days before the city hosts the Spanish Grand Prix, according to reports from motorsport sources.
First Track Test Puts Madring Under Pressure
Formula 3 cars completed two full days of testing on the newly constructed circuit in Madrid, giving teams and drivers their first genuine opportunity to push machinery to the limit beyond limited filming days, as reported by Motorsport.es. Until the sessions began, competitors had relied exclusively on simulator data to understand the layout.
The track layout immediately proved demanding. Throughout Monday and Tuesday, multiple red flags interrupted running as drivers made contact with barriers across various sections of the course, particularly around the fifth and seventh turns and the fast sweeping sequences in the Valdebebas area.
Driver Reactions and Circuit Character
Freddie Slater, an Audi development driver and championship leader in the junior category, offered high praise for the venue after logging the benchmark time of 1:50.343 on the opening day, Motorsport.es reported. Slater compared the layout favorably against established historic street tracks.
“Creo que este circuito es increíble para pilotar. Es un poco de la vieja escuela, tiene algunas curvas interesantes y mucho carácter,” Slater stated, as quoted by Motorsport.es, adding that it ranks among the best tracks he has driven.
The British driver highlighted the technical challenge of chasing a fast lap at the venue. “Probablemente sea uno de los circuitos más divertidos del calendario cuando haces una vuelta al límite,” he remarked to Motorsport.es, emphasizing the careful balance required to dance along concrete walls without crossing over into accidents.
Focus on Turn 12 and Technical Layout
While Slater pointed to the chicane formed by turns five and six as a personal favorite section, attention remains fixed on the circuit’s most distinctive engineering feature: La Monumental. Located at turn 12, the sweeping corner measures approximately 550 meters in length and features a 24 percent banking angle, requiring drivers to hold an inclined line for roughly six seconds.
Next Steps on the Calendar
With the testing window closed, organizers and municipal authorities have less than three weeks to finalize paddock infrastructure and spectator areas before the official Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix race weekend gets underway in Madrid.
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