Crash halts F2 practice at Madrid’s new Madring circuit during opening weekend
During the opening practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak of ART Grand Prix crashed into the wall at turn 19 of the Madring circuit, prompting a red‑flag that lasted 24 minutes while marshals removed the car and extinguished the fire. The circuit, a 22‑turn street layout built around the IFEMA exhibition centre in the Barajas and Valdebebas area, features a 550‑metre‑long banked corner called La Monumental.
Madrid is hosting its first Formula 1 Grand Prix on the new track, with the city paying an annual hosting fee of £41 million under a ten‑year contract. The event is intended to broaden the city’s sports profile beyond football and showcase local gastronomy and tourism. Drivers have commented on the circuit’s challenging design and limited overtaking opportunities.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 23h later
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
Why it matters
The crash highlights the practical realities of running races on a brand‑new urban circuit as Madrid stages its inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix.
How this story developed
- Sep 10 Madrid hosts its first Formula 1 Grand Prix, aiming to broaden the city's sports profile
- Sep 11 The steeply banked "La Monumental" turn has been unveiled as part of the inaugural circuit.
- Sep 12 Lewis Hamilton crashed his Ferrari during final practice for the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, ignoring multiple team commands to halt the car.
- Sep 12 A second red flag was triggered by Oliver Bearman's spin at Turn 10.
- Sep 13 A Formula 2 car crashed into the wall at turn 19 during opening practice at the Madring circuit.
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