Inside the new $500m 2026 Madrid F1 street circuit which fans think is 'too dangerous' to host a Grand Prix

The Spanish Grand Prix is set to be held around a new circuit in Madrid which has been described as dangerous.

Back in January 2024, it was confirmed that the Spanish Grand Prix would move away from the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, which has been the host venue since 1991.

In turn, the Grand Prix will move to the capital city of Madrid in 2026.

As reported by Race Fans, the promoter is suggested to have paid almost €500 million for the race.

The circuit will be part street circuit and part classic race track and will be built around the IFEMA exhibition centre with 20 corners and a distance of 5.47km.

The first glimpse at what a hot lap will look like around Madrid has been revealed, thanks to a simulation created by Tyrone Hesbrook and shared by the official Williams E-sports team.

The simulation is in the ballpark of the expected lap time of 1 minute 32 seconds, so this could be extremely close to what we see in 2026 but we will not know for sure how F1 cars perform around the circuit until the actual race.

Following the release of the simulation fans have taken to social media to raise concerns, with two sections of the track in particular dividing fans.

Turn five of the circuit is an extremely high-speed chicane where drivers would be approaching at top speed, with little to no run of area if they misjudge braking.

The track also features an extremely large 180-degree hairpin. The simulation shows the corner as completely flat out, which again would raise safety concerns if a driver were to lose it in similar circumstances to Lando Norris in Vegas.

The Spanish Grand Prix will have a new home in 2026. Image: Getty

The simulation received hundreds of comments and replies, with the majority focussing on the safety concerns the track could bring.

One fan replied: "Turn five is so dangerous bro."

Another added: "How is turn five allowed?"

One X user replied by clipping up the turn in question and made their opinion very clear on the corner: "This chicane is a death trap."

A fourth reply compared the track to another of the new additions to the calendar writing: "That looks more dangerous than Jeddah."