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Formula 1 has its first new track in three years. Does the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix have any surprises in store? Here are the talking points for this weekend’s race.Mad about the Madring? Although the Madring incorporates some streets, the majority of the 5.4-kilometre layout has been purpose-built, making this somewhat of a hybrid. What sort of challenge will it offer the drivers? The striking Monumental corner with its 24-degree banking immediately stands out as its signature turn. However there are also signs of the unfortunate compromises which often come with street circuits: slow chicanes. Formula 3 drivers have already run on the circuit and found it both as low on grip and punishing as is to be expected on a new-build track. Their test session saw red flags galore, so it may prove a busy race for the Safety Car. What makes a ‘good track’ anyway? However do the usual questions about what makes a ‘good’ track even apply in 2026? The current cars perform at their worst on the series’ fastest and most challenging tracks. The Monumental corner may look spectacular but will drivers actually attack it at speed or cruise up to it while decelerating to save their batteries? It hardly seems fair to benchmark a new track against drivers’ favourites like Spa, Suzuka or Silverstone when the driving challenge has been neutered. Besides which, the track has a 10-year deal to hold the race, so F1 has clearly already deemed the event a success regardless of what happens. Friction at Ferrari Ferrari’s home race was not a happy experience for them or their fans. Charles Leclerc bounced Lewis Hamilton into a gravel trap on the first lap then buried his car in a barrier on the second. On top of which their engine upgrade wasn’t sufficient to secure a top-five finish. The team can expect to be more competitive on a track which looks unlikely to prove as extreme an outlier as Monza. But the apparent friction between their drivers remains a concern: Leclerc’s carelessness on the first lap at Monza was the second consecutive grand prix in which he compromised Hamilton’s race. Alonso’s future Of the two home drivers in action this weekend, one has already committed his future to his current team. But Fernando Alonso is weighing whether to continue what is already the longest career in F1 history. Aston Martin have begun to turn their abject season around, but does he have another year of competition in him? This may be the last chance his fans get to watch him race at home. Struggling midfielders While the fight for fifth in the constructors’ championship heats up between Racing Bulls and surprise Monza pole-winners Alpine, two of their rivals are having increasingly tough seasons. Haas’s Monza upgrade failed to end their points drought, which has now lasted for seven rounds. Williams have been out of the top 10 for the same length of time, but can at least look forward to an upgrade at the following round. Crunch call on F1’s finales F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali previously said the series will confirm its plans for the end of the season by mid-September. Teams, drivers and fans are waiting to learn whether the championship will make its planned visits to Qatar and Abu Dhabi or, much like the World Endurance Championship, call them off due to the military activity in the Middle East. If the races are called off without replacements, Andrea Kimi Antonelli will suddenly find himself significantly closer to clinching the title. Are you going to the Spanish Grand Prix? If you’re heading to Spain for this weekend’s race, we want to hear from you: Who do you think will be the team to beat in the Spanish Grand Prix? Have your say below. Go ad-free for just £1 per month >> Find out more and sign up Miss nothing from RaceFans Get a daily email with all our latest stories - and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here: 2026 Spanish Grand Prix - Will Madrid’s new track impress? Does it matter? Six Spanish Grand Prix talking points - How to watch the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix live this weekend - Lawson and Tsunoda called up again as injury keeps Hadjar out for third weekend - Spanish GP promoter reveals new renderings of Madring street circuit - Two companies awarded deal to build Spain’s new Madring F1 circuit