Following the Silverstone weekend, Ferrari immediately turned its attention to Madrid. ScuderiaFans.com has learned that the Scuderia will be on track tomorrow at the Madring, the brand-new street circuit that will host the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time next September. The SF-26 will therefore become the first Formula 1 car ever to run on the Madrid circuit, marking a historic debut that will allow the Maranello team to gather valuable data while also serving as an important test for the event organizers.
Officially, the outing will take place as a filming day, a promotional event that Formula 1 regulations limit to a maximum of 200 kilometres of running. Both full-time drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, will share driving duties, giving them their first opportunity to experience the only completely new venue on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. Although the team must operate within the restrictions imposed on filming days, Ferrari will still be able to collect useful initial feedback on the circuit’s characteristics—information that could prove highly valuable ahead of the race weekend.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect is how quickly the Scuderia managed to organize the trip. Until just a few days ago, the Madring was still very much an active construction site, at least regarding the spectator facilities and the paddock infrastructure. A recent visit by a group of journalists showed that work was still ongoing in several areas of the venue.
The situation is different when it comes to the circuit itself. The 5.416-kilometre layout, featuring 22 corners and a long elevated section, is now complete, and Ferrari’s presence provides further confirmation that the track is ready for action. In addition to allowing the Scuderia to build an initial understanding of the new venue, the test will also give Madring officials a valuable opportunity to evaluate the circuit’s operations with a modern Formula 1 car, gathering important feedback ahead of its world championship debut in September.
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