The new Madring circuit in Madrid is set to bring a fresh chapter to the Formula 1® calendar when it hosts the Spanish Grand Prix in September 2026. Among its standout features is Turn 12, known as La Monumental, a corner designed to offer a unique blend of speed and spectacle that promises to challenge drivers and excite fans alike.
La Monumental is a 270-degree, steeply banked turn inspired by the iconic Spanish bullring of the same name. Situated on the 5.4-kilometre Madring layout, this corner features a banking gradient of 24% (approximately 13.5 degrees), which is less steep than the 18-degree banking seen at Zandvoort. However, what sets La Monumental apart is the high-speed approach, with cars expected to enter the corner at speeds between 180 and 200 kph. The corner stretches over 550 metres, allowing drivers to accelerate throughout, a rare characteristic for a banked turn in Formula 1®.
The circuit itself combines street track elements in its southern section with a purpose-built northern section, separated by a dual carriageway featuring underpasses. La Monumental is located in the northern part, where the track is 12 metres wide and bordered by an outside wall, making it a demanding challenge to carry maximum speed through the bend. Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams, has shared insights suggesting that the corner will likely be taken flat out, with the banking enabling different racing lines and slipstream effects that could create overtaking opportunities.
One of the corner’s distinctive features is the integration of hospitality spaces within the bend itself, which forms part of a large Fan Zone covering half a million square metres. This design aims to enhance the spectator experience, with a total capacity of 140,000 fans split between the northern and southern sections of the track. Convenient transport links to Madrid’s Barajas airport and city centre further support accessibility for attendees.
The exit of La Monumental includes a crest that momentarily obscures drivers’ vision, an element that inspired the event’s slogan, “De Madring al cielo” (“From Madring to Heaven”). This feature also influenced the design of the trophy by Pininfarina, adding a cultural and symbolic layer to the race weekend atmosphere. The return of Formula 1® to Madrid marks the city’s first Grand Prix in 45 years, the last being held at the Jarama circuit, making this new venue a significant addition to the calendar.
With its combination of high-speed banking, challenging racing lines, and fan-focused amenities, La Monumental at Madring is shaping up to be a corner unlike any other in Formula 1®. It offers a fresh test for drivers and teams, while also providing an engaging spectacle for fans, reflecting the evolving nature of modern circuit design within the sport.
