Former Components 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has praised the brand-new Madring circuit, revealing that it’s the first observe of the 2026 season that has made him need to get again behind the wheel.
After the Italian Grand Prix at Monza final weekend, which resulted in a Mercedes 1-2 end with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, the drivers now face a step into the unknown on the new 5.4km, 22-turn structure semi-street circuit within the Spanish capital.
Talking on F1 TV’s Weekend Heat-Up present forward of the race weekend at Madring, Montoya shared his pleasure after finishing a observe stroll.
“I walked it this morning, and I have been in a street automotive a few weeks in the past. I’ve seen it just a few occasions,” the Colombian defined. “Unbelievable. Truthfully, I do quite a lot of observe walks as a result of my child races in Components 2, so we do observe walks each race, and this was the primary time I went, ‘Oo, I wish to drive this.’
A Spanish flag flies over the circuit
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
“Out of all of the tracks we have been to this 12 months, it is the primary time I’ve gone, ‘This could be unbelievable.’ I do not assume the observe map does it justice due to the elevation and the blindness.
“A whole lot of the corners are old-style, with boundaries inside and outside, and so they’re blind corners. You are turning, and the man who will get nearer to the apex is the man who’s closest to the wall, and I feel that brings quite a lot of cool issues as a result of while you open the apexes, anyone can do it.
“Anyone can run a large line, somewhat right here, somewhat there, however when you put a barrier on it, you have to be good. And I feel that’s simply the extent of dedication you might want to carry. It is unbelievable.”
Images from F1 Spanish GP – Friday
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