Madrid

The FIA Formula 3 Championship visits Madrid, Spain for a historic race weekend in 2026. This marks the first time the f3 series races in the Spanish capital. The event takes place on a new street circuit at the IFEMA Exhibition Centre and Valdebebas area. Madrid joins the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix weekend as a support category, part of a ten-year agreement running through 2035.

Circuit Information

The Madrid street circuit, known as Circuito de Madring, measures 5.474 kilometers in length. The FIA is completing the homologation process for this new track. The circuit runs through the IFEMA Exhibition Centre and Valdebebas district. Every driver faces the same challenge on this fresh tarmac, as no one has previous experience on this layout. The street circuit format creates unpredictable racing conditions where adaptability becomes crucial.

Race Format

The Madrid f3 weekend follows the standard FIA Formula 3 Championship format. Practice and qualifying sessions occur on Friday. A Sprint Race takes place on Saturday. The Feature Race runs on Sunday. This event serves as the championship finale after eight previous rounds starting in Melbourne, Australia.

Teams and Drivers

Thirty drivers compete across ten teams in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. Each team fields three cars. Campos Racing enters Théophile Naël, Ugo Ugochukwu, and Ernesto Rivera. Trident runs Noah Strømsted, Freddie Slater, and Matteo De Palo. MP Motorsport fields Mattia Colnaghi, Tuukka Taponen, and Alessandro Giusti.

ART Grand Prix brings Taito Kato, Maciej Gładysz, and Kanato Le. Van Amersfoort Racing competes with Hiyu Yamakoshi, Enzo Deligny, and Bruno del Pino. Rodin Motorsport enters Pedro Clerot, Brando Badoer, and Christian Ho. Prema Racing fields Louis Sharp, James Wharton, and Jose Garfias.

Hitech TGR runs Michael Shin, Fionn McLaughlin, and Jin Nakamura. AIX Racing enters Brad Benavides, Yevan David, and Fernando Barrichello. DAMS Lucas Oil competes with Nicola Lacorte, Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi, and Gerrard Xie. Ugo Ugochukwu and Bruno del Pino emerged as early championship contenders during the season.

Technical Specifications

The FIA Formula 3 Championship operates as a spec series. All teams use identical equipment. This ensures competition focuses on driver skill and team strategy rather than technical advantages.

Chassis and Engine

Every car uses the Dallara F3 2025 chassis. A Mecachrome 3.4-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine powers each vehicle. The cars accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately three seconds. Top speeds reach 300 km/h on circuit straights.

Tires and Fuel

Pirelli supplies tires for all competitors. The championship uses Aramco 100% sustainable fuel across the entire grid. These technical regulations create close racing where small differences in driving technique and setup choices can determine race results.

Madrid in Motorsport History

The 2026 race represents the inaugural FIA Formula 3 event in Madrid. Spain has a strong tradition of hosting junior single-seater categories. Barcelona previously hosted Formula 2, GP2, International Formula 3000, GP3, and FIA F3 events. The Madrid addition to the f3 calendar aligns the series more closely with the Formula 1 schedule.

The integration of Formula 2 and Formula 3 with Formula 1 weekends provides a platform for rising drivers. They compete on the same circuits as their Formula 1 counterparts. This exposure helps teams and sponsors evaluate talent in similar conditions to the premier category.

What Makes This Event Notable

The Madrid f3 race at Madring closes the 2026 championship season. Championship titles may be decided during this weekend. The new street circuit creates equal conditions for all participants. No driver brings prior knowledge of the track layout or surface characteristics. Success depends on quick adaptation and strong performance from the first practice session.

The ten-year agreement ensures Madrid remains on the international motorsport calendar through 2035. This commitment includes Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3 categories. Spain gains a second major motorsport venue alongside Barcelona. The street circuit format through IFEMA and Valdebebas offers a different challenge compared to traditional permanent circuits.

The f3 series visits Madring as part of a comprehensive race weekend. Fans attending the Spanish Grand Prix can watch three levels of single-seater competition. The Madrid event provides close racing action as drivers push for championship points and positions. The spec series format ensures multiple drivers and teams can compete for race victories and podium finishes.