Formula 1 arrives at a new venue this weekend for the Spanish Grand Prix, with the debut of Madring on the category’s calendar. Between September 11 and 13, drivers and teams face the new Madrid circuit for the first time, in another stage of the 2026 season.
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The race takes place following the Italian GP, held in Monza, and presents a completely different challenge. After the long straights and low downforce setups used at the “Temple of Speed,” teams will have to build their references for the new Spanish layout practically from scratch.
Madring is a semi-permanent circuit located in the IFEMA Madrid region and combines urban sectors with sections developed specifically for the competition. Being a brand-new track for Formula 1, free practice sessions will be even more important for drivers and engineers to understand the behavior of the cars and tires.
The evolution of the track will also be one of the factors to watch. With little rubber initially laid on the asphalt, grip conditions can change significantly between Friday’s FP1 and Saturday’s qualifying, increasing the need for adaptation throughout the weekend.
The Spanish GP will be held in the conventional format, with three free practice sessions, qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday. The race will have 57 laps.
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Where to watch the Spanish F1 GP
In Brazil, all weekend sessions can be followed on Sportv, from the first free practice on Friday to the race on Sunday. F1 TV Pro/Premium also broadcasts the entire event schedule.
Check the 2026 Spanish GP schedule, always in Brasília time:
Friday – September 11
Free Practice 1 (FP1) 08:30
Free Practice 2 (FP2) 12:00
Saturday – September 12
Free Practice 3 (FP3) 07:30
Qualifying (Quali) 11:00
Sunday – September 13
Race 10:00, 57 laps
Besides representing another important stage in the championship fight, the weekend will be historic for the first Formula 1 race at Madring, putting drivers and teams before an entirely new challenge.
F1Mania.net follows all activities of the Spanish GP in real time, with news, results, analysis, and full coverage of Formula 1’s debut at Madring.
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