Formula 1 is making a triumphant return to Madrid after 45 years, and the honor of breaking in the brand-new Madring circuit fell to the perfect driver: hometown hero Carlos Sainz. The Williams star has just completed the first-ever laps of the track, and his verdict is already turning heads.
Behind the wheel of a 450bhp Ford Mustang GT—with F1 presenter Lawrence Barretto riding shotgun—Sainz took to the asphalt as the circuit's official ambassador. The initial lap was a cautious reconnaissance mission, a slow tour to absorb every detail. But then, the pace picked up, and so did the excitement.
“It’s something very difficult to describe for me because it’s something that I always dreamed about—just having the opportunity to race at my hometown,” said the Spaniard. “Madrid is a great city, a city that I’ve always talked well about, a city that now is getting to be known quite a bit more, and that now having this Formula 1 track will be amazing.”
His face said it all: the Madring is faster than it looks. The 5.4km, 22-turn circuit packs a surprise, largely thanks to a purpose-built high-speed section that dominates the second half of the lap. The hybrid street circuit blends public roads with a dedicated racing zone, creating a split personality that keeps drivers on their toes.
The IFEMA paddock section is tight and urban, featuring 90-degree corners, long straights, and walls close enough to sharpen any driver's focus. Then, the track opens up into something altogether more unusual. A full-kilometer straight between Turns 2 and 4 offers a continuous curve that will test both machine and driver.
“The atmosphere will be incredible,” Sainz added. “I think Madrid is a city that welcomes a lot of these big events. Obviously, we’re known for the Real Madrid team, but apart from that, we have so many other things going on during the year. And I’m sure this event will be the biggest one yet. And I think you guys are gonna enjoy it.”
As September's Spanish Grand Prix approaches, the Madring is shaping up to be a thrilling addition to the F1 calendar—and Sainz has already given it a stamp of approval that no one will forget.