Max Verstappen prepares for Red Bull at new Madrid street circuit
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 6:30 PM
Last updated Sep 10, 2026
Formula 1 teams arrive in Madrid this week for a new street circuit debut at the Spanish Grand Prix. Red Bull Racing enters the weekend with uncertainty regarding the performance of the RB22 on the unique track layout. Max Verstappen, who secured a podium finish in Monza, relied on simulator practice to prepare for the technical corners and banked sections of the new venue. Liam Lawson continues as the teammate to Verstappen while Isack Hadjar remains sidelined. Friday's first free practice session will provide the initial data for the teams to calibrate vehicle setups and assess grip levels in anticipated temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius on Sunday. The unknown nature of the track presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the team to gain momentum.
- •Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson represent Red Bull Racing in Madrid.
- •The Madrid street circuit is new for all teams except Ferrari.
- •Isack Hadjar remains out due to fitness issues.
- •First practice begins Friday at 1:30 p.m. local time.
- •Sunday race temperatures are expected to reach 33 degrees Celsius.
- 7:03 AMYahoo Sports — Verstappen sees an opportunity in Madrid to get Red Bull to the front quickly
"Red Bull Racing heads to the Spanish Grand Prix with a fair bit of uncertainty. Max Verstappen still took a podium in Monza, but the new circuit in Madrid makes it hard to gauge where the RB22 will stand this coming weekend.
"Max Verstappen admits that Red Bull are still "getting up to speed" ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, as drivers and teams tackled the Madring for the first time.
"Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have rated Red Bull's chances at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, with the Madring set to host its inaugural Formula 1 event.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 7:03 AMVerstappen sees an opportunity in Madrid to get Red Bull to the front quickly
Red Bull Racing heads to the Spanish Grand Prix with a fair bit of uncertainty. Max Verstappen still took a podium in Monza, but the new circuit in Madrid makes it hard to gauge where the RB22 will stand this coming weekend.
- Formula1.com—How Verstappen and Lawson rate Red Bull's chances in Madrid
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have rated Red Bull's chances at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, with the Madring set to host its inaugural Formula 1 event.
- Formula1.com—Verstappen assesses Friday performance at the Madring
Max Verstappen admits that Red Bull are still "getting up to speed" ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, as drivers and teams tackled the Madring for the first time.
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