Madrid court clears Madring F1 circuit construction as tests conclude and neighbors record 109 dBA noise
The new 5.4-kilometer Madring circuit completed Formula 3 testing ahead of the 13 September Spanish Grand Prix, surviving a court challenge over grandstand permits while residents measured noise peaks of 109.1 dBA.
Track testing and layout
Madrid's new 5.4-kilometer semi-urban Madring circuit completed two days of official testing on Tuesday, clearing the venue for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix scheduled for 11 to 13 September 2026. The evaluation involved 30 drivers and 10 teams from the FIA Formula 3 Championship running concurrently around the Ifema exhibition halls near Madrid's international airport. The semi-permanent layout combines existing municipal roads with purpose-built sections, headlined by the banked corner named La Monumental. Sessions experienced nearly 20 red flags and stoppages as cars went off track during the runs. Van Amersfoort Racing driver Théophile Naël compared the driving dynamics to established street venues.
I feel very comfortable in Macau and Monaco, so I really like this circuit because some sections remind me of them. When you are flat out, you can feel the g-forces. Inside the car, it is incredible.
- Regional government report evaluates venue noise compatibility
- Construction begins on circuit infrastructure around Ifema
- Thirty Formula 3 cars begin two days of circuit stress tests
- Madrid court rejects injunction to suspend venue build permits
- Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix race weekend begins
- Inaugural Grand Prix race runs on the 5.4-kilometer layout
Resident noise measurements
The two-day test generated opposition from residential groups in the surrounding Hortaleza district, including the neighborhoods of Canillas, Villa Rosa, Las Cárcavas, Valdebebas, and San Lorenzo. The Stop Formula 1 Madrid neighborhood platform conducted uncertified acoustic measurements on Camino Alto de Hortaleza during the track activity. The group recorded an average reading of 102.7 decibels (dBA), with top levels of 107.7 dBA and spikes reaching 109.1 dBA, compared with the city's legal residential limit of 35 decibels. Platform spokesperson Constantino Blanco stated that members will conduct official certified acoustic measurements during the race weekend on 11, 12, and 13 September to prepare legal complaints.
- Madrid residential limit
- 35 dBA
- Stop F1 measured average
- 102.7 dBA
- Stop F1 measured maximum
- 107.7 dBA
- Stop F1 measured peak
- 109.1 dBA
Court dismisses construction injunction
Opposition also moved through the courts, where Section 18 of the Administrative Court of Madrid dismissed an emergency petition for precautionary measures on Wednesday. The injunction had been filed by the Association for the Defense of the Environment and for Sustainable Urbanism to halt construction licenses for grandstands, footbridges, and hospitality suites. The court ruled that suspending the works would cause serious disruption to general interests by impeding the event and preventing ticket holders from attending. The decision allows ongoing construction to proceed while the wider legal challenge remains under judicial review.
Municipal response and mobility measures
Madrid delegate for urban planning, mobility, and environment Borja Carabante defended the event, noting that the city holds a 10-year contract through 2035 to host Formula 1. Carabante stated that the venue will deploy acoustic screens and natural barriers to reduce noise exposure in adjacent neighborhoods. He also stated that Formula 3 cars produce higher sound levels than the Formula 1 machinery that will run in September.
The day of the championship, the 13th, there will be less noise for the neighbors than what occurred with the tests.
The Madrid city council plans to present a specialized mobility plan next week detailing scheduled road closures and spectator transit routes designed to limit neighbourhood traffic disruptions.
