The Italian has extended his lead in the drivers’ standings to 66 points over Mercedes team-mate George Russell. But with the Madring still largely uncharted territory for every team, the usual pecking order could at least temporarily be shaken up.
22 corners and a spectacular banked section
Madrid is not entirely new territory for Formula 1. Between 1968 and 1981, nine World Championship Grands Prix were held at the Circuito del Jarama. The Madring, however, has virtually nothing in common with that venue. The new layout combines public roads with purpose-built permanent sections around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition complex and Valdebebas.
Over roughly 5.4 kilometres, drivers will tackle 22 corners, with 57 laps scheduled for Sunday’s race. The circuit mixes high-speed sections with slower and medium-speed corners and is expected to produce top speeds well above 300 km/h.
Its most distinctive feature is Turn 12. “La Monumental” stretches for around 550 metres and features banking of up to 24 per cent. The long, sweeping corner should provide some of the weekend’s most striking images, while also placing unusual demands on the drivers, cars and tyres.
That combination of high speed and walls that are close in several sections has already prompted plenty of respect ahead of the inaugural Grand Prix. Max Verstappen even described the Madring as a potential “car killer”. Several drivers expect mistakes to carry particularly severe consequences because of the limited run-off areas.
Tyres and heat add to the uncertainty
For the teams, the real work therefore begins in Friday practice. There is no Formula 1 race data from previous years to rely on, while grip levels on the new asphalt are also expected to evolve significantly over the course of the weekend.
Pirelli has selected the C2, C3 and C4 compounds, the middle three options in its range. The loads are expected to be comparable in places to those seen at traditional high-speed circuits such as Silverstone and Spa. According to the tyre supplier’s simulations, “La Monumental” will generate the highest vertical tyre load of the season.
Strategy could therefore become another key factor. Pirelli’s compound selection is intended to make a two-stop race a realistic option. Heat will add another variable: temperatures of around 32 degrees are expected on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday potentially reaching roughly 33 degrees. Tyre management and cooling could therefore become especially important.
Antonelli arrives in Spain as the man to beat
From a sporting perspective, Mercedes currently set the benchmark. Antonelli has won seven of the opening 13 Grands Prix and made another major statement at Monza, where he fought his way from 19th on the grid to victory. With 267 points, the Italian leads Russell by 66, while Mercedes also hold a commanding advantage over Ferrari in the constructors’ standings.
The new circuit, however, makes predictions more difficult than usual. Alongside Antonelli and Russell, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as well as McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, should all be considered contenders at the front. Before Monza, Norris had won back-to-back races in Hungary and Zandvoort.
Ferrari have already completed some running at the Madring with a Formula 1 car during a filming day. Given the strict mileage limits and special tyres used in such sessions, however, that is unlikely to provide a decisive advantage.
A special home race for Carlos Sainz
Whatever the result, this will be a particularly significant weekend for Carlos Sainz. The Williams driver was born in Madrid and will compete in a Formula 1 Grand Prix in his home city for the first time.
Williams are also marking the occasion visually. The team will run a special livery inspired by the FW07C from 1981 – the year in which Formula 1 last staged a World Championship race in Madrid.
Fernando Alonso is also set for a special weekend. For the two-time world champion, it will be the first Formula 1 race in Madrid of his long career.
Spanish Grand Prix timetable
First practice begins on Friday at 13:30, followed by FP2 at 17:00. Final practice takes place on Saturday at 12:30, before qualifying for the first Formula 1 pole position at the Madring gets under way at 16:00. The Spanish Grand Prix starts on Sunday at 15:00 and should offer the first real indication of which team has adapted fastest to the many unknowns of Formula 1’s newest circuit.
