What did Ferrari learn from becoming the first F1 team to run at the all-new Madring?

Fresh from a hugely successful British Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari wasted no time turning its attention to Formula 1's next new challenge, becoming the first team to run at Madrid's brand-new Madring circuit during an FIA-sanctioned filming day.

Just days after Charles Leclerc claimed victory at Silverstone and Lewis Hamilton secured a podium finish in third, the Scuderia travelled to the Spanish capital to complete one of its two permitted commercial filming days, combining promotional activities with valuable early preparation for Formula 1's newest venue.

Although hometown hero Carlos Sainz had previously driven around the circuit during demonstration activities, Ferrari became the first Formula 1 team to officially put a current-generation F1 car on the 5.416-kilometre Madring layout that will host the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026.

Built around Madrid's IFEMA exhibition centre, the new street circuit replaces Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the home of the Spanish Grand Prix and marks Formula 1's return to Madrid for the first time since the Jarama circuit last hosted a World Championship race in 1981.

Ferrari split the day's running between its two drivers. Charles Leclerc took to the circuit during the morning session before handing the SF-26 over to Lewis Hamilton for the afternoon, allowing the team to complete the maximum 200 kilometres permitted under FIA filming day regulations.

As required by the rules, Ferrari ran on Pirelli's dedicated demonstration tyres rather than the slick compounds used during Grand Prix weekends.

While officially classified as a commercial filming day, the session provided Ferrari with a rare opportunity to begin understanding a circuit that no Formula 1 team has previously experienced.

Every lap allowed the engineers to collect telemetry that will help refine simulator models, evaluate potential setup directions and improve energy management strategies ahead of September's inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the venue.

The test was particularly valuable because the circuit remains under construction. While the racing surface and pit building have already been completed, much of the surrounding infrastructure is still being finished ahead of Formula 1's arrival later this season.

Leclerc's first laps highlighted just how new the venue is. As he exited the pit lane for the opening run, clouds of fine white dust were kicked into the air, with only the fast lane having been fully cleaned. However, conditions steadily improved throughout the day as the Ferrari completed more laps, gradually clearing the racing line and increasing available grip.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of the outing lies away from the circuit itself. For brand-new venues, simulator models are initially built using estimated surface characteristics, making them less accurate than those for established circuits.

Ferrari's engineers were therefore able to gather valuable information about the asphalt's roughness, grip levels and general track characteristics, allowing the team's simulator to be updated with real-world data for the first time.

That information will play an important role in race preparation throughout the remainder of the season, giving both Leclerc and Hamilton a more representative virtual environment before Formula 1 returns to Madrid for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix.

The new Madring circuit measures 5.416 kilometres and is expected to welcome 110,000 spectators, with infrastructure capable of expanding capacity to 140,000. In addition to Formula 1, the venue will also host Formula 2 and Formula 3 during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.

Following a victorious weekend at Silverstone, Ferrari has already taken the first steps towards another important event on the 2026 calendar.

While a filming day offers only limited mileage, being the first team to gather real-world data from Formula 1's newest circuit could provide the Scuderia with a useful head start before the championship arrives in Madrid later this season.