The long-awaited date has finally arrived. This weekend, the Spanish Grand Prix will be run on the new Madrid circuit, along the streets of Valdebebas. And the big question is what this urban track will bring to Formula 1, the foundation they want to lay for the Formula 1 of the future not only in Spain but across Europe.
For a long time, Fernando Alonso remained cautious about the Madrid race. However, now that the Grand Prix is just around the corner, Alonso has broken his silence. The Asturian driver says he’s eager to get to know the new Madrid circuit, but he leaves a reminder of who is paying him.
Fernando Alonso will pass through Barcelona before heading to Madrid
Formula 1 in Spain will enter a new dimension this weekend. The Madring street circuit will host its first Grand Prix, with all eyes on whether the organization will be up to the occasion. Both Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz have already given their first impressions of what’s coming.
Asked about Madring, Alonso says that “I’m very eager. It’s another circuit to discover, and it’s also raced in my home country, Spain, so it will be very nice.” But he left another message: “On Wednesday we’ll go to Barcelona and I’ll test several cars, which should also be nice.” Recall that Alonso is an ambassador for the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The thing is that for Alonso, arriving in Madrid is double joy. Not only because he will race in Spain, but because it seems to be a circuit favorable to his Aston Martin. With not too many straight sections and with twisty sectors, Alonso should shine at Madring. And if we add his particular ability to adapt to new layouts, expectations are high.
Carlos Sainz shows more affection toward Madring, not only because he is Madrid-born but also because he is an ambassador of the event, and he was the first to test the circuit with a Ford Mustang. Sainz believes that “we’ll have to evaluate whether perhaps they’ve gone a bit too far in terms of character and personality… and it ends up being crazy,” in reference to the circuit.
And the truth is that what we’ll encounter in Madring is a complete unknown. To date, only Ferrari has run there during a filming day, besides a Formula 3 test they conducted at the end of August. The organizers will strive to ensure that everything that can go right does go right, in order to lay solid pillars on which to grow in the coming years.
To keep our readers updated on what happens in Madring, Motorpasion will be present at the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend.
Images | Fórmula 1, Aston Martin
