Organizers of Madrid’s new Spanish Grand Prix venue have announced a final circuit layout featuring 22 turns, including a strict bank corner named “Monumental.”
The circuit, which is scheduled to take part in next year’s Formula 1 calendar, is primarily based on public roads running through the Ihumama Exhibition Centre in the Spanish capital. Carlos Sainz was announced as the official race ambassador, and a detailed layout was released, including the flagship bank clan, at a press conference at the venue on Friday.
The 22-turn 3.35-mile/5.4-kilometer track opens in Chicane before a fast-handed man who cleans two turns, reaching the predicted 211mph/340km/h before slow turn 5, reaching the section rising at 8%.
The next section, known as the “Bunker,” is adjacent to the Spanish Civil War Fort of Lamama Espesa, falls to 5% in what track designers believe will become one of the most complicated parts of the circuit.
The more spreadout Chicane is designed to limit the speed in front of the “monologic” corner. It is over 500m long and will feature 24% of banking as drivers pass in front of the grandstand, which is scheduled to accommodate approximately 45,000 spectators. The designer explains it’s reminiscent of horns, calculating that it takes about 6 seconds to navigate before leaving at high speed for another overtaking opportunity on a 90-degree turn 13 left-handed person.
A series of high-speed corners continue ahead of the final sector, featuring many slow turns. The last two are right-handed over 90 degrees, bringing the circuit back to the widest part of the 49ft/15m track.
Currently, Spain has two race contracts in 2026, but the final year of the Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya deal means that the current home of the Spanish Grand Prix could also be on the calendar next year.