System 3 championship chief Freddie Slater has labelled the brand new Madrid circuit as “unbelievable” to drive amid the junior sequence’ check on the Spanish venue.
Madrid has changed Barcelona as host of the Spanish Grand Prix for 2026 on a 10-year take care of System 1 set to stage the occasion on the Madring monitor on 11-13 September.
That weekend will even see F3 stage its season finale within the Spanish capital and in preparation for visiting the brand new circuit, it has been internet hosting a Madrid check on 24-25 August.
Slater topped day one for Trident after setting a 1m50.343s – an F1 automotive is anticipated to lap round 1m32s – whereas Tuesday noticed Campos Racing’s Ugo Ugochukwu go quickest with a 1m49.034s.
Talking on Monday, Audi junior Slater mentioned: “I believe it was a extremely constructive day. I believe this monitor is unbelievable to drive, it is a bit old-school, acquired some fascinating corners and it is acquired a number of character to it.
“It is most likely one of the pleasant on a push lap on the calendar. I am simply having fun with it. I am having enjoyable. Right now has been a extremely constructive day. I am simply studying concerning the monitor and making an attempt to adapt my driving type to it and likewise adapt the automotive a bit to it.
“It has been studying day for the workforce, particularly, which is essential, clearly, with a totally new monitor and no earlier knowledge to depend on. It has been a strong day to date.”
Freddie Slater
Photograph by: Masahide Kamio
Groups had been primarily counting on simulator knowledge for the check on the 3.365-mile road circuit across the IFEMA Exhibition Centre, that includes 22 corners and each non-public and public roads.
“I’ve really had a few experiences round road tracks,” added Slater. “Clearly, Macau, Monaco this 12 months, and it is about going out, being on the restrict, however not being too over the restrict that you find yourself risking crashing.
“I believe that was essential this morning to construct as much as it, to get a number of laps underneath the belt so that you really may work out what was happening.
“It has been a constructive method of constructing as much as it. I like the entire thing. I believe it is unbelievable. I believe it is probably the greatest tracks I’ve pushed.
“Like all the perfect tracks, like your Macau’s, your Monaco’s, the tracks that have gotten character, and I believe that is what’s probably the most particular factor that they’ve finished right here.
“I am unable to title a favorite half, however I do just like the Flip 5 and 6 chicane.”
Slater leads the F3 standings by eight factors over Ugochukwu with Monza (5-6 September) and Madrid (12-13 September) set to spherical out the 2026 marketing campaign.
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