Madrid’s new Madring circuit has entered the final month of preparations for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, scheduled for 13 September. The track is complete, fully asphalted and operational, while most of the surrounding infrastructure is already in place. Before Formula 1 arrives, however, the venue faces another important milestone: Formula 3 cars will take to the circuit on 24 and 25 August for a major operational test.
Progress has been substantial since Madring’s official presentation in mid-June. Along the main straight, the pit building and pit lane have been completed on one side, while the main grandstands and hospitality areas have taken shape opposite them. Only the finishing touches remain in several areas, making it increasingly easy to picture Formula 1 cars racing past packed grandstands during Madrid’s inaugural Grand Prix weekend.
Madring enters final month before the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix
Nira Juanco, Formula 1 communications manager at IFEMA, stressed that construction is continuing according to schedule despite the doubts that surrounded the project during its earlier stages.
“Everything is going very well. What we have always said, and what people never believed, is that the work is proceeding as planned,” Nira Juanco told AS.
Almost all of the grandstands have now been erected, along with the hospitality areas and the principal structures required for the event. The progress follows previous assurances from organisers that Madring would be ready for its Formula 1 debut despite the scale and complexity of the construction programme.
One major area remains to be completed. The section most visible from the road, close to Valdebebas, will contain a large Fan Zone, with work there scheduled to begin next week.
“We’ll be ready on time, because everything is proceeding according to the established plan,” Nira Juanco confirmed.
The rapid pace of progress has also created a growing sense of excitement among those working on the project.
“Come back next week and you’ll be amazed, because suddenly you find a building here, another one there, a structure that has been put up, a grandstand that wasn’t there before and suddenly appears… Everything is moving at full speed,” she explained.
Nira Juanco compared the final phase of preparation to the closing stages of a pregnancy: “We’re in the final stretch, and everyone is eager for the birth. It’s very exciting.”
Huge demand expected for Madrid’s Formula 1 debut
Expectations are extremely high for Madrid’s first Formula 1 event at Madring, which is set to remain on the championship calendar for at least 10 years. Event director Luis García Abad had already said several weeks ago that the Grand Prix had effectively reached a “technical sell-out”, and demand continues to be strong.
“Almost everything. There are still some hospitality tickets available, but we’re sure it will be completely sold out by the Grand Prix,” Nira Juanco said. “We’re extremely happy. We didn’t expect this kind of reception and that also puts a lot of pressure on us.”
More than 120,000 spectators are expected each day, with approximately 380,000 people anticipated across the entire weekend. Madrid’s arrival is one of the most significant additions to the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, but managing such large crowds will represent another major test for the organisers.
Organisers urge fans to use Madrid public transport
Spectators are being strongly encouraged to plan their journey carefully and use Madrid’s public transport network. Fans should also check exactly where their ticket is located because the circuit is divided between two principal areas.
The Valdebebas section can be reached by train or bus, while the IFEMA area is served by metro and bus services. Travelling to Madring by private car is strongly discouraged because of the lack of available parking around the venue, an issue that has been central to Madrid’s transport planning for the Formula 1 weekend.
Formula 3 test will be Madring’s dress rehearsal
Before Formula 1’s lights go out at Madring for the first time, the circuit will host Formula 3 testing on 24 and 25 August. The sessions will provide an important rehearsal for the venue and force organisers to bring forward several areas of preparation that had originally been scheduled for later.
Nira Juanco described the exercise as a significant test for the entire project.
“It’s a brutal challenge, because it’s true that it forces us to accelerate the work and bring forward many things that were further back in the planning, but it’s positive for the project, because as far as actually racing is concerned, you could already hold a race at Madring,” she said.
The Formula 3 running will not simply be used to assess the circuit itself. Organisers intend to test the entire internal operation of the venue, including security, marshals, the medical centre, restaurants, access routes and parking facilities.
“It will be good to make our debut with this mini test rather than going directly into a Formula 1 Grand Prix,” Nira Juanco explained.
Latest FIA inspection completed without problems
Madring has also successfully passed its latest FIA inspection. With the Formula 3 test approaching and the Spanish Grand Prix now only weeks away, the organisers remain confident that preparations are progressing exactly as planned.
“The latest one was on Monday and everything is where it should be, perfectly in order. There hasn’t been any problem,” Nira Juanco confirmed.
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