Ferrari has officially broken in the all-new Madring circuit, with Charles Leclerc taking the first Formula 1 laps around the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix venue on Thursday.
Key Highlights
- Charles Leclerc and Ferrari became the first F1 team to run a car at the new Madring circuit during a filming session.
- The 20-turn venue will join the 2026 F1 calendar as the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix from September 11-13.
- Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton gained valuable early impressions of the circuit despite filming day restrictions.
- Ferrari arrived at the Madring after a strong British Grand Prix weekend, with Leclerc winning and Hamilton finishing third.
Ferrari Makes History With First F1 Run at Madring
The Scuderia brought its SF-26 to the 20-turn layout for a filming session, marking the first time an F1 car has completed laps on the brand-new track. The Madring, which combines sections of public roads with permanent racing areas, will make its Formula 1 debut in 2026, replacing the current Spanish Grand Prix venue on the calendar. The race weekend is scheduled for September 11-13.
Leclerc Leads Ferrari’s First Track Run
The first official F1 outing at the circuit comes after Williams driver Carlos Sainz’s special media tour in May. During that event, Sainz showcased the track by taking F1.com’s Lawrence Barretto for high-speed laps in a Ford Mustang. However, Thursday’s Ferrari session marked the first time an F1 machine tackled the challenging new layout.
Ferrari shared images and video footage across its social media channels, showing the SF-26 in action at the Madring. Leclerc was the first driver to hit the track, while teammate Lewis Hamilton is also scheduled to complete laps during the session.
Early Data Gives Ferrari Valuable Circuit Insight
Although the filming day comes with standard Formula 1 restrictions, including limited mileage and the use of promotional Pirelli tyres, the session still provides Ferrari with important early feedback.
Leclerc, Hamilton and the Ferrari team will use their first impressions of the circuit to better understand its characteristics ahead of the venue’s official F1 debut. The experience could prove valuable as teams begin preparing for the 2026 season and the challenges presented by a completely new track.
Ferrari Builds Momentum Ahead of 2026 Title Fight
Ferrari arrived at the Madring with confidence after an impressive showing at the British Grand Prix. Leclerc secured victory at Silverstone, while Hamilton supported the team’s strong weekend with a third-place finish. The results strengthened Ferrari’s hopes of mounting a serious challenge for the 2026 championship.
With their first laps completed at the Madring, Ferrari has now gained an early advantage in understanding one of Formula 1’s newest circuits.
