MADRING Presents its Circuit to the World in a Landmark Day Headlined by Spain’s Largest Flag

Madrid, 16 June 2026. MADRING experienced a landmark day this Tuesday in the countdown to the FORMULA 1 TAG HEUER GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2026, with the official presentation of its circuit, the raising of the largest Spanish flag in the country, and an institutional event bringing together Formula 1, public authorities, sponsors, media and Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 driver and ambassador for the project.

With less than three months to go before Madrid hosts the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time, the circuit revealed the current progress of the works and shared some of the elements that will define the event’s identity: the race’s official poster, Carlos Sainz’s Team Fifty5 grandstand, and a first on-site visit that allowed media and guests to walk part of a track that is already beginning to take shape.

First track walk at MADRING

The day began at the circuit itself with an institutional track walk through Turns 1, 2 and 3, followed by the raising of a flag set to become one of MADRING’s great permanent symbols. Located between Turn 3 and the Pit Lane exit, on the western side of the site, the flag flies from a 54-metre mast — equivalent to one hundredth of the circuit’s total length — and measures 16.66 by 25 metres. Its dimensions exceed those of the iconic flag at Plaza de Colón, until now the largest in Spain, whose mast stands at 50 metres and whose flag measures 14 by 21 metres.

The installation also features night lighting, an aviation beacon at the top of the mast, and a motorised system that allows the full flag to be lowered in around three minutes. With these dimensions, MADRING will also have one of the largest flags seen at any Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar.

Those taking part in the event included Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid; José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Madrid; Ángel Asensio, President of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services; José Vicente de los Mozos, Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID; Louise Young, Chief Race Promotion Officer at Formula 1; Manuel Aviñó, President of the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation; Santiago Roura Gómez, Undersecretary for Education, Vocational Training and Sport at the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport; Luis García Abad, Director of the FORMULA 1 TAG HEUER GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2026; and Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 driver and MADRING ambassador.

After the flag-raising, the authorities toured the circuit aboard buses operated by EMT, Madrid’s Municipal Transport Company, stopping at La Monumental, the track’s most iconic corner. The route highlighted one of MADRING’s greatest strengths: its connectivity. EMT will play a central role in transport operations for the Spanish Grand Prix, helping, together with the metro and Cercanías rail network, to provide access for thousands of fans to a circuit fully integrated into the city.

The main event was then held at WAH, hosted by Nira Juanco and Ariana Bravo, and opened with a Formula 1-inspired musical performance. On stage, an audiovisual journey traced the project’s evolution from its announcement to the start of construction, showcasing the work carried out in recent months to turn ambition into reality.

José Vicente de los Mozos took to the stage with the Grand Prix trophy designed by Pininfarina to present it to attendees, and during his speech highlighted the scale of the challenge taken on by IFEMA MADRID and all the organisations involved in delivering a project that combines the construction of a hybrid circuit with the day-to-day operations of one of Europe’s leading exhibition venues:

“The F1 Spanish Grand Prix is an expression of IFEMA MADRID’s social and economic responsibility. And, of course, it reflects the exceptional moment Madrid is experiencing: its economic strength, its international standing and its growing influence.”

Louise Young, Chief Race Promotion Officer at Formula 1, praised the work carried out by MADRING to bring Madrid onto the World Championship calendar and highlighted the strategic importance of an event set to strengthen Formula 1’s presence in one of Europe’s great capitals.

The Grand Prix official poster takes centre stage

One of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the day was the unveiling of the official poster for the FORMULA 1 TAG HEUER GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2026. Inspired by the slogan “De MADRING al cielo”, the artwork brings together some of Madrid’s most recognisable symbols alongside La Monumental, the corner set to become one of the championship’s new icons. The poster also includes hand-drawn illustrations created by members of the team working on the project every day, reinforcing MADRING’s human and emotional connection with Madrid.

The circuit’s ambassador will have his own grandstand at MADRING

Carlos Sainz was another of the day’s main protagonists. After completing the first official lap of the circuit and sharing his impressions of the track, the Madrid-born driver presented the Team Fifty5 grandstand, a space that will carry his personal stamp and whose tickets will go on sale in the coming days.

During his remarks, Sainz particularly highlighted the character of the layout and the potential of Turn 12. The MADRING ambassador also explained that the expression “De Madrid al cielo” takes on a special meaning when exiting this corner, where the banking, the climb and the blind nature of the section make the sky itself part of the driving experience.

The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, underlined in his speech the role of the Grand Prix as a strategic project for the city, highlighting the opportunity it represents to strengthen Madrid’s international profile, its organisational capabilities and its position as a host city for major sporting and cultural events.

“This project makes Madrid the only major European capital with a Formula 1 Grand Prix on its calendar,” he stated. “Forty years on, Formula 1 returns to the Madrid region.” The Mayor predicted that “this Grand Prix will be a great success. For Madrid, the best is still yet to come, and it will come hand in hand with Formula 1 and this Grand Prix.”

For her part, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, closed the institutional segment by highlighting the impact Formula 1’s arrival will have on the region, both from an economic and tourism perspective and in terms of image, investment and the creation of opportunities. Ayuso emphasised the moment Madrid is experiencing and its ability to attract leading global projects.

“It has been a major challenge, but the circuit is now ready on time and in full,” she stated. “We are going to deliver the best circuit in the world, with more than 90% of tickets already sold, thanks to the contribution of institutions and businesses, as well as Madrid’s proven ability to host major international events,” she added.

The event concluded with a distinctly Madrid-style finale: a modern version of the chotis performed by WAH’s musicians and the distribution of carnations among attendees, as a nod to the city’s identity and the spirit with which MADRING wants to welcome Formula 1.

Following the presentation, media and guests were able to visit the circuit and travel part of the layout aboard EMT buses. Today, attendees have seen the track. The rest of the Grand Prix now begins to rise around it. Grandstands, hospitality, operational infrastructure and all the elements that will transform this space into a Formula 1 Grand Prix will take shape over the coming weeks, in the final phase of a project that is moving towards September with the aim of delivering a unique experience for fans, teams, drivers and media alike.

ENDS

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