Carlos Sainz has experienced the new Spanish Grand Prix circuit, as Madrid will replace the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next year.
Carlos Sainz is the first F1 driver to experience the new Spanish Grand Prix track in Madrid.
During the MADRING Roadshow, the four-time grand prix champion drove a Williams FW45 on a kilometre stretch of the newly constructed Madring Circuit.
“Returning to Madrid and driving the FW45 through the streets of my childhood is a dream realized for me,” stated Sainz.
I’ll always remember driving this vehicle before an audience of 80,000 individuals from across the globe.
“It has been an incredibly emotional day, but it’s merely a preview of what to expect in 2026.”
“Next year will be monumental for Madrid as it joins F1, and I’m eagerly anticipating it!”
The MADRING Roadshow marked a historic moment in Spanish motorsport as thousands of fans gathered to witness Carlos Sainz become the first Formula 1 driver to sample the new Madrid circuit that will host the Spanish Grand Prix starting in 2026. The event not only celebrated the unveiling of a highly anticipated F1 venue but also paid tribute to Sainz’s personal journey, bringing his racing career full circle in the city where he was born and raised.
Sainz, currently driving for Scuderia Ferrari and widely respected for his consistency and racecraft, stepped into the cockpit of a Williams FW45 to complete demonstration laps on a specially prepared section of the Madring Circuit. Though the full layout is still under development, the kilometer-long stretch used for the event gave fans and stakeholders an early glimpse into what lies ahead for the Spanish Grand Prix.
The choice of the FW45—a car raced by Williams in the 2023 season—added a nostalgic touch to the event, emphasizing the connection between F1’s storied history and its future. As Sainz navigated the street-style course, lined with grandstands filled with 80,000 cheering fans, the atmosphere reflected both local pride and global anticipation.
Sainz’s emotional remarks underscored the significance of the moment. Growing up in Madrid, the Spanish driver always dreamed of competing at the highest level of motorsport. Returning to his hometown and showcasing an F1 car on streets he once walked as a child held a special resonance. “It’s one thing to race in front of your home fans,” he said, “but to do it in the very city that shaped you—that’s something else entirely.”
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991, becoming synonymous with the event. However, in recent years, Formula 1 has expanded its global reach and increasingly looked to city-based circuits that offer fans a more immersive, urban experience. Madrid’s inclusion marks a new chapter for Spanish motorsport and aligns with the sport’s evolving direction under the stewardship of Liberty Media.
The new Madring Circuit is expected to feature a mix of fast straights and technical corners, integrating existing city infrastructure with newly built sections. Organizers have emphasized sustainability and fan accessibility in the design, aiming to create a race that reflects the energy and modernity of Madrid itself.
For Sainz, the preview drive was more than just a publicity event—it was a symbolic moment. “This is just the beginning,” he noted. “The fans, the city, the circuit—everything is coming together in a way that feels very special. I can’t wait to see what the full race weekend will be like when Formula 1 comes to Madrid for real.”
As anticipation builds for the 2026 debut, the MADRING Roadshow has succeeded in capturing the public’s imagination and laying the groundwork for what promises to be a landmark event on the Formula 1 calendar. Carlos Sainz, fittingly, has become the face of that vision—leading the way in a city ready to embrace its new place in motorsport history.