Formula 3 tests new Madring circuit ahead of Madrid Grand Prix as noise draws complaints

Track testing and driver impressions

Formula 3 concluded two days of official testing on Tuesday at the new 5.4-kilometer Madring circuit in Madrid. The sessions served to validate track behavior and race systems before the venue hosts the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix from 11 to 13 September 2026. Thirty drivers across 10 teams completed laps, testing the layout and its banked corner, La Monumental. In the Tuesday afternoon session, championship leader Freddie Slater set the fastest time of 1:49.685, finishing ahead of Campos Racing driver Ugo Ugochukwu, who clocked 1:49.790 after leading earlier with a 1:49.034 morning lap. Theophile Nael finished third with 1:50.140, sole Spanish participant Bruno del Pino took 20th place, and Fernando Barrichello placed 14th after an incident at Turn 3. The day saw 10 red flags in total, including six during the afternoon session.

I think it is one of the best circuits I have driven on. It has a lot of character, a lot of personality.

Mexican driver Ernesto Rivera added that the track is like Monaco, but more difficult.

Operational readiness and facility construction

The two-day session evaluated sporting, technical, medical, and safety operations across the newly built venue. Organizers mobilized 120 track marshals, 60 healthcare professionals, 40 logistics coordinators, 30 rescue vehicles, 23 firefighters, and nine ambulances across the 1.2 million square-meter complex. The circuit is divided into two separate sections, Madring Norte and Madring Sur, which are not connected internally. Ifema exhibition pavilions have been converted into team garages, while five spectator fan zones remain under development. Three fan zones will operate in Madring Sur, with two more situated between calle de Francisco Umbral and avenida de Alejandro de la Sota. Crews are also installing acoustic barriers along the uphill section toward Valdebebas, adjacent to the Las Cárcavas neighborhood, ahead of more than 300,000 expected weekend attendees.

Noise levels and neighborhood complaints

Engine noise generated during the test days prompted complaints from nearby residents in the Barajas and Hortaleza districts. The civic group Plataforma Stop Formula 1 Madrid reported that a calibrated sound meter inside a Valdebebas residence nearly three kilometers from Ifema recorded an average noise level of 102.7 decibels on Monday morning while five cars were running. Standard municipal thresholds set residential limits at 55 decibels during daytime hours and 45 decibels at night. Borja Carabante, Madrid delegate for Urbanism, Environment, and Mobility, defended the running as authorized by municipal and environmental licenses and required for International Automobile Federation track homologation.

Acoustic conditions are being tested with the worst possibility that will occur. As you well know, the most noise is produced in Formula 3, not in Formula 1.

Impact on Real Madrid training

The engine noise also reached the Real Madrid training ground at Ciudad Deportiva in Valdebebas, situated two kilometers from the circuit. First-team manager Jose Mourinho conducted preparation for a rescheduled league match against Real Sociedad as cars lapped nearby. Formula 3 published a social media statement apologizing to the football club for the disruption. Meanwhile, construction teams continue final track preparations and site finishing in Madring Norte, clearing loose sand and completing spectator areas before Formula 1 cars begin practice on 11 September.