The Grand Prix is back: Madrid prepares for its first F1 race in 45 years

Anyone planning a Sunday dash to the new circuit now has a firm time to work around: the lights are due to go out at 3pm. Before that, Madrid’s first Madring weekend brings three days of Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 action.

Madrid’s Formula 1 schedule in full

It has been 45 years since Madrid hosted a Formula 1 race. This year, that number goes back to 0. The Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix returns and will run from Friday September 11 to Sunday September 13 at Madring, the new 5.4-kilometre circuit built around IFEMA Madrid and Valdebebas.

All the times below are local Madrid time, which is Central European Summer Time. Viewers in the UK will find each Formula 1 session begins one hour earlier.

Friday September 11

• First practice: 1.30pm – 2.30pm
• Second practice: 5pm – 6pm

Saturday September 12

• Third practice: 12.30pm – 1.30pm
• Qualifying: 4pm – 5pm

Sunday September 13

• Drivers’ parade: 1pm – 1.30pm
• Spanish Grand Prix: 3pm – 5pm

This is a conventional Grand Prix weekend rather than a Sprint event, giving teams three practice sessions before qualifying establishes the grid for Sunday’s 57-lap race.

Formula 2 and Formula 3 will fill the spaces between sessions

Spectators with weekend tickets will see considerably more than five Formula 1 sessions. Formula 2 and Formula 3 will also compete at Madring, beginning with practice and qualifying on Friday. The promoter’s current timetable lists a Formula 3 Sprint race at 11.05am on Saturday, followed by the Formula 2 Sprint at 2.15pm. Sunday begins with the Formula 3 race at 9.55am and the Formula 2 race at 11.25am, before the F1 drivers’ parade and main event.

Organisers describe these as the activities and timings confirmed so far, leaving room for further additions or adjustments closer to the weekend.

Madrid now carries the Spanish Grand Prix name

Spain has had two Formula 1 events in 2026, but only the Madrid race carries the traditional Spanish Grand Prix title. Barcelona hosted its race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from June 12 to 14 under the separate Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix name. Madrid’s September event therefore represents both the new circuit debut and the transfer of Formula 1’s most familiar race title.

The capital last hosted a Formula 1 World Championship race at Jarama in 1981. Its return comes under an agreement intended to keep the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid until 2035.

Madring combines public roads with a permanent venue

The new circuit has 22 corners and uses IFEMA land, roads through Valdebebas and approximately 1.5 kilometres of existing public streets. Its defining section is Turn 12, La Monumental. The semicircular corner is almost 550 metres long, has 24 per cent banking and is designed to be taken flat out. Organisers expect around 45,000 spectators to be positioned around this part of the circuit.

Elsewhere, the layout contains an 837-metre straight where cars are projected to exceed 300 kilometres per hour, followed by a heavy braking zone. Madring says the highest anticipated speed on the circuit is around 340 kilometres per hour.

Spectators are encouraged to make the most of public transport to and from the venue

Madring’s ticket information currently says standard grandstand and general admission tickets are only sold as three-day passes, rather than individual day tickets. 

Public transport will be central to the weekend. Metro Line 8 stops at Feria de Madrid beside IFEMA, while the C1 Cercanías train serves Valdebebas and connects with Atocha, Recoletos, Nuevos Ministerios, Chamartín and Madrid-Barajas Airport Terminal 4. The organiser’s frequently asked questions state that there will be no general parking at the venue, making it important for people to map out what services they’ll need in order to arrive at the venue. 

The Madrid race marks a pivotal moment for Spanish Formula 1 racing. Formula 3 cars will also complete two days of testing at Madring on August 24 and 25, allowing organisers to validate sporting, operational and safety procedures before Formula 1 arrives.