Spain’s F1 future is changing fast and Sainz is at the center of it

19:22, 07 Jun

Updated: 00:34, 08 Jun

bySavannah Lenz

In 2026, Spain is getting a new Formula 1 circuit. While the Madrid street circuit is still under construction, Carlos Sainz details the Madrid street circuit layout and what it could offer.

This year's Spanish Grand Prix was held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. However, it only has a contract until 2026. Next season, the Madrid-based circuit is supposed to be completed and ready for racing. While it is not yet known what could happen to Barcelona, Sainz has become an ambassador for the MadRing.

Ahead of the MadRing Demo taking place on 7th June, 2025. He answered a few questions on what the circuit could offer.

Carlos Sainz at the Madring Demo

Sainz on the MadRing layout: 'Working to guarantee overtakes'

"As for the circuit, you already know it's going to be a semi-street circuit, partly a street circuit, partly more open, more of a traditional circuit. And there, in that more open part, where the famous Monumental (the corner with 24% banking) is being built, it's where we'll be able to design a type of turns that I think most inspires drivers, the kind of turns we find on more old-school circuits."

"While the urban part, obviously, will be more like the curves we see in Baku, in Singapore, more angled, 90 degrees, but we'll be passing very close to the walls, and in the end, passing close to the walls always gives you a greater adrenaline rush. So I think this circuit will have the best of both worlds: partly a street circuit, close to the walls, but then there is the open part, and I think it's a very good combination.," he told GPblog among others.

In terms of where to overtake, he commented: "I'm going to do my best to make it a circuit that allows you to overtake. I've spent the last few months looking at the circuit plans and, together with the organisers, I'm trying to give my personal opinion as a driver; the two or three overtaking points we can make to ensure those overtakes happen. We'll see how much room we have with the streets, the width of certain areas, but that's my goal, and I'm going to try to liven it up as much as possible."