Preview: Alex ready for Madrid’s inaugural Grand Prix

Hear what Alex has to say as he faces a new challenge at the Madring

Published

10 SEP 2026

Est. reading time

2 min

Formula 1 heads to Madrid for Round 14 of the 2026 Championship, as Alex prepares to take on the brand-new Madring circuit for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix.

The Spanish Grand Prix marks the start of a new chapter for Formula 1, with Madrid hosting its first Grand Prix since the sport last raced at Jarama in 1981. With a brand-new circuit to learn and a new challenge ahead, Alex will be looking to make the most of his first weekend at the Madring.

His thoughts

"There’s some work to do heading in to Madrid, but with a brand new track everyone is starting from zero.” “From what I’ve seen in the simulator the track is a bit like Macau but also mixed with Jeddah and Zandvoort, it’s an impressive layout. There are limited overtaking opportunities so qualifying is going to be the key session, and it will be important to get up to speed quickly in the free practice sessions.” “I’m looking forward to getting to Madrid, seeing the Spanish fans and Carlos’ home race. Vamos!"

The track

Set around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre, the Madring is a brand new 5.416km hybrid circuit combining public roads and permanent track sections. The layout features 22 corners, with a long straight that allows cars to reach speeds of around 340kph, alongside elevation changes and the most banked corner on the F1 calendar.

The mix of high speed sections, heavy braking zones and the unique banking will make the Madring a fresh challenge for the entire grid, with teams heading into the weekend with no previous race data from the circuit.

The weather

It’s set to be a hot weekend in Madrid, with temperatures expected to climb throughout the Grand Prix. Friday is forecast to reach 29°C, rising to 30°C on Saturday before hitting 32°C on Sunday.

With sunny conditions expected across the weekend, the heat could play an important role in tyre management and energy levels as the drivers tackle the brand-new circuit.

Don’t forget to claim Alex’s latest Fan Passport stamp, with a new Albono arriving in time for the Spanish Grand Prix. You can add this week’s stamp to your collection via the link below.

Enjoy the Spanish Grand Prix!

The 2026 Madrid Albono is ready to collect!