Charles Leclerc and Ferrari posted the first laps of the Madring circuit in an F1 car on Thursday, with the team taking part in a filming session at the all-new venue.
Blending public roads with permanent sections of track, the Madring joins the F1 calendar for 2026 as home to the Spanish Grand Prix – slotting into the schedule on the weekend of September 11-13.
After Carlos Sainz’s special media tour in May, which involved the Williams driver taking F1.com’s Lawrence Barretto for some high-speed laps in a Ford Mustang, this week marks the maiden run for an F1 car around the 20-turn layout.
On Thursday morning, Ferrari took to social media to share a selection of photographs and video clips of their SF-26 in action at the Madring, with Leclerc first to hit the track and team mate Lewis Hamilton also set to complete laps.
It will give Leclerc, Hamilton and Ferrari some valuable first impressions of the circuit, even if the usual filming day limitations are in place, including a restriction on mileage and the use of promotional Pirelli tyres.
Ferrari arrived at the Madring fresh from a successful weekend at the British Grand Prix, with Leclerc triumphing and Hamilton backing him up in third place, strengthening their bid for a 2026 title challenge.
