Formula 1 arrives in Madrid this weekend for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, Round 14 of the 2026 season. The event runs from 11-13 September and marks the first time the Spanish capital has hosted a Grand Prix in 45 years.
The purpose-built Madring combines street-circuit elements with permanent sections near the IFEMA exhibition centre. It features 22 corners, long straights capable of 340 km/h, and the standout Turn 12 — “La Monumental” — a 550-metre banked corner with up to 24% banking, the longest of its kind on the current calendar. The track measures approximately 5.416 km, with the race set for 57 laps (308.5 km).
Current Championship Standings (after the Italian Grand Prix)
Drivers’ Championship
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 267 points
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 201 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 191 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 171 points
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 155 points
Constructors’ Championship
- Mercedes – 468 points
- Ferrari – 346 points
- McLaren – 287 points
Antonelli leads the championship by 66 points after winning seven races so far, including five in a row earlier in the season and the most recent Italian Grand Prix. Mercedes remain dominant, having won nine of the 13 races completed.
image: TimesLIVE
Session Times (SAST – same as local Madrid time)
Friday 11 September
- Free Practice 1: 13:30 – 14:30
- Free Practice 2: 17:00 – 18:00
Saturday 12 September
- Free Practice 3: 12:30 – 13:30
- Qualifying: 16:00 – 17:00
Sunday 13 September
- Race: 15:00
McLaren arrive looking to build on recent strong form at high-downforce tracks, while Ferrari and Red Bull continue their chase of the Mercedes duo. As a completely new venue, teams will spend Friday learning the asphalt, tyre behaviour and optimal energy deployment under the 2026 regulations.
The debut of the Madring is expected to deliver unpredictable racing and a major test for every team. With the European leg of the season ending in Madrid, the championship battle remains firmly in Antonelli’s hands heading into the final stretch of the year.
