2026 Spanish GP: These Madring photos reveal the scale of work remaining before F1 arrives. Madring construction continues 23 days before Spanish GP practice.

Only 23 days remain until the opening practice session at the new Madring circuit, where Madrid will host its first edition of the Spanish Grand Prix. Construction is continuing at an intense pace as organisers complete the venue and its surrounding infrastructure before Formula 1 arrives.

The track layout itself has already been completed and used during Ferrari’s filming day. However, exclusive photographs taken by David Perez show that a considerable amount of infrastructure work remains around the new Madring Formula 1 circuit.

Images: David Perez

Madring construction continues ahead of Formula 1 debut

The latest images provide a clear indication of the challenge facing the organisers during the final three weeks. Although the racing surface has already accommodated a Formula 1 car, completing all the structures and services required to welcome teams, officials and spectators represents a much broader undertaking.

The venue has now entered the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. Work is continuing at high speed as the organisers attempt to ensure that every essential part of the new facility is operational before the first cars leave the garages.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc completed Ferrari’s 200 km test

There are no doubts over whether the Grand Prix will take place. Ferrari’s 200-kilometre test on 9 July provided further reassurance to organisers and stakeholders that the circuit itself was ready to accommodate Formula 1 machinery.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both took part as the Scuderia completed the full distance permitted during the historic Ferrari filming day at the Madring. The session allowed the Italian team to use the new layout well before its inaugural race weekend while also demonstrating that the fundamental track construction had reached an operational stage.

Organisers face a major infrastructure challenge

At present, the circuit has the appearance of a cathedral in the desert, with an ambitious new track surrounded by infrastructure that is still being completed. That image could create concerns about possible inconvenience for spectators during the race weekend, particularly as the final preparations continue so close to the event.

Even so, the scale of the effort made by promoter IFEMA Madrid deserves recognition. The organisation laid the symbolic first stone of the new venue on 24 April last year and has since created the facility almost entirely from scratch.

The development also demonstrates how IFEMA Madrid and its investment partners have made it possible to introduce a new Formula 1 round in Europe. Their combined resources have allowed an entirely new circuit and event infrastructure to take shape within a demanding timetable.

The immediate priority is now to complete the surrounding facilities and ensure that fans, teams and officials can move through the venue effectively. With the racing surface already tested by Ferrari, the remaining race against time concerns the infrastructure required to transform the Madring from a functioning circuit into a complete Formula 1 Grand Prix venue.