I Went to F1’s Newest Race—Here’s What the First Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s Madring Was Like
I went to F1’s newest race—here’s what it was like on the ground of the first Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring track.
Credit: Beata Zawrzel/Getty Images
Formula 1 races have long been held in some of the best and most glamorous cities in the world. Monaco
, Singapore, Mexico City—the 20-plus places that appear on the annual schedule read like an incredible itinerary for any well-heeled traveler. This year's addition to the lineup is Madrid, the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix at the just-built Madring circuit.
The Spanish Grand Prix debuted in 1913, and it's been held at several venues around the country, most recently at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Now it's moved to the Spanish capital
, and the country joins the lucky few that get to host multiple F1 races in a year. With a contract until 2035, the race is set to be part of the annual schedule for nearly a decade, and we were on the ground for the first iteration of this new Spanish Grand Prix with Marriott Bonvoy and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. The star-studded event—attended by sports legends like David Beckham, Rafael Nadal, and Jude Bellingham, plus King Felipe VI of Spain—saw Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli take first place for his eighth win of the season, getting him one step closer to becoming the youngest Formula 1 World Drivers' Champion.
The fan experience at the track is likely to evolve as organizers learn from the inaugural Madring race, and in-city activations and offerings will change each year, but we have a few main takeaways from the newest Formula 1 race that will help you plan your next adventure on and off the track.
Map out your ideal race weekend ahead of time.
The Grand Prix metro sign in central Madrid. Credit: Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure
This one might sound obvious, but with a venue as spread out as the Madring, it's important to plan ahead so you know exactly where you are going (so you can arrive at the most convenient entrance) and what you have access to. If you want to spend time exploring the fan zones, I highly recommend looking at the map before you go and getting there as early as you can. It takes a while to walk between areas at the Madring, and on race day, you won't want to miss all the on-track action, including the drivers' parade and other entertainment that happens before it's lights out on the grid.
Understand your ticket options.
Padel court inside the Paddock at the Spanish Grand Prix. Credit: Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure
For fans looking to maximize their time at the track, I recommend researching all the ticket options available, understanding exactly what each includes, and buying a multi-day ticket if it fits your travel plans and there's a lot you want to see. Plus, going on the first or second day means you can get your hands on the most sought-after merch before it sells out to the race-day crowds. For fans who want to avoid sitting in the direct sun for hours on end (the race started at 3 p.m.), make sure you purchase covered grandstand or hospitality tickets. And if this is your first F1 race and you're unsure of what the different locations mean, look at their position on the track. Do you want to sit at the iconic new banked curve, La Monumental, or would you rather sit close to the start or finish line? Buying different tickets for different days can give you varied viewing experiences during the same race weekend.
Where you stay matters.
Exterior of Casa de la Panadería in Plaza Mayor. Credit: Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure
Sure, location is always important, but that's not the only reason to choose your accommodations wisely. For fans who want to stay in the heart of the racing action, hotels that offer pop-ups and themed experiences are the way to go. I stayed at the JW Marriott Hotel Madrid , a beautiful, centrally located property within walking distance of the Plaza Mayor and the Prado National Museum , but what set the stay apart was the F1-themed pop-up, Toto's Chess Club, inspired by the Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, and the ties between F1 strategy and chess. Chess is already very popular in Spain, thanks in part to the country's long history with the game , and the event was packed with fans every night. The hotel also hosted a number of exclusive events that Marriott Bonvoy members had the chance to win, including a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of an episode of Marriott Bonvoy's "Secret Concierge" campaign featuring Toto Wolff and British comedian Jack Whitehall. Whether it's festive events like these or watch parties, themed menus, and other F1 touches, finding the right property is a must for fans who want to stay in the racing spirit all weekend long.
September is a fantastic time to be in Spain.
Elizabeth Rhodes standing in from of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team garage. Credit: Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure
September is one of the best times to visit Europe. Temperatures are finally cooling off, but it's still warm and sunny. The peak summer crowds have returned home, but destinations are still lively. This year's Spanish Grand Prix took place from Sept. 11 to 13, making it an ideal time for a late Euro summer trip, with incredible weather and manageable crowds. Plus, Spain is a fantastic sports destination—consider combining your F1 weekend with a Real Madrid game so you can watch some of soccer's best while you're in town, too.
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