Super-smooth Madrid's minefield

Another shake-up at the Spanish GP?  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ View in browser View in browser ARTICLES MAGAZINE SHOP DATABASE SHOP FORMULA 1 Super-smooth Madrid circuit is an F1 minefield Mark Hughes With a brand new surface and a tyre-punishing banked Turn 12, Madrid's inaugural Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix weekend could reshuffle the Mercedes-McLaren-Ferrari pecking order once again, writes Mark Hughes.                    The all-new Madring this weekend is sure to throw up some interesting challenges and unforeseen problems. Featuring a super-smooth surface, an interesting layout with a long, banked Turn 12, the walls up hazardously tight at a chicane with a tightening exit and a series of long, interconnected bends, it has the potential to accentuate the different traits of the leading cars. READ MORE PODCAST Motor Sport F1 Show Antonelli's Monza F1 win shouldn't have been possible From Antonelli's "impossible" Monza victory to the paranoia gripping Ferrari and McLaren's driver pairings, this week's biggest Formula 1 questions answered. WATCH NOW F1 Pablo Elizalde Madring's La Monumental: the banked corner that's unlike anything else in F1 Madring's banked showpiece was built to be photographed and talked about, but how big is the challenge around it? READ MORE F1 Pablo Elizalde Madring's La Monumental: the banked corner that's unlike anything else in F1 Madring's banked showpiece was built to be photographed and talked about, but how big is the challenge around it? READ MORE FROM OUR SEPTEMBER 2026 ISSUE Madring’s La Monumental gives Madrid’s new F1 circuit a distinctive challenge Anthony Rowlinson Before Formula 1 returns to Madrid for the first time since 1981, Anthony Rowlinson explores the new Madring circuit, where an ambitious blend of public roads, purpose-built sections and the imposing La Monumental corner promises a markedly different Spanish Grand Prix.                    There was a time when circuit corner names were utilitarian labels, nothing more. Even for the greatest curves, inspiration was drawn from local landmarks or topography: think of Eau Rouge or Burnenville at Spa; Silverstone’s Stowe, or Paddock Hill Bend at Brands. Suzuka’s 130R is a reference to the turn’s radius, Monza’s Parabolica nods to its geometry. The Corkscrew at Laguna Seca and the Nürburgring Nordschleife’s Karussell need no further explanation. So when a corner – a brand-new one at that – is christened Monumental, that’s a lot to live up to. SUBSCRIBE NOW TO READ READ MORE F1 Pablo Elizalde Can Madring avoid the F1 pitfalls Verstappen is predicting? As Formula 1 arrives at Madring for the first time, Max Verstappen has highlighted two key worries. Will they come true? READ MORE Motor Sport Collectibles Explore our best-selling collectibles, selected for Motor Sport enthusiasts like you. 1963 Monaco Twin Pack Scalextric Model BUY NOW Porsche 917K Pocher Model BUY NOW F1 Retro 1980 by Mark Hughes BUY NOW Stirling Silver Motor Sport Cufflinks BUY NOW Brabham BT46  Scalextric BUY NOW Lotus 79 Scalextric BUY NOW Update your content preferences UPDATE NOW Connect with us We now accept © 2026 Motor Sport Magazine, All rights reserved. Motor Sport Magazine, 18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE. © 2026 Motor Sport Magazine, All rights reserved. Motor Sport Magazine,  18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE. Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy