Okay, bear with me because this is about to get a little messy – in the best way possible.
So, they’ve cooked up this new Grand Prix thing in Madrid. And the track? It’s got 22 turns, including one that’s apparently so steep they’ve named it “Monumental.” Why? Beats me. But it sounds like something out of a movie, right?
First off, we’re not talking some backcountry track. No sir. This is slapped right in the middle of Madrid, snaking around the IFEMA exhibition center. I guess they figured why not make race cars part of the local traffic, ha! And Carlos Sainz — yep, THE Sainz — is the official face of it all. There was a big reveal shindig, and they spilled all the details. Like, it’s going to be wild seeing cars zip through public roads, no lie.
Okay, picture this: The track is 3.35 miles long, with cars hitting unbelievable speeds — something like 211mph right before hitting a slower patch. Insane, right? They’ve got names for sections too, like “The Bunker.” Sounds ominous, but apparently, it dives through some historical war sites, drops 5%, and is super tricky. Side note: Why do these places always have historical layers?
Anyway, this “Monumental” thing? It’s not just a name. They’re saying it reminds them of a bullring! Talk about throwbacks. Picture 45,000 people in a grandstand losing their minds as cars whip past a ginormous, banked corner. Someone timed it — supposedly takes six seconds to zoom through. Imagine that rush.
Then there’s this whole chicane situation to slow things down a bit before all that action. Who plans these things? Blows my mind. After that, drivers dive into a tough 90-degree turn, and everyone’s probably holding their breath.
The rest of the circuit? It’s a mix of lightning-fast curves and slower spots, wrapping up with some sharp rights to bring you back around. The pit straight is the widest at 49 feet, so, some breathing room for the drivers, finally!
Oh, Spain’s got a contract for two races in 2026 too. But the old Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya might still be in the mix. So, who knows how it’ll play out.
Anyway, racing in Madrid next year? Hot ticket! What could possibly go wrong, right?
