Police launch investigation after theft at brand-new F1 circuit days before Spanish Grand Prix

Madrid is set to host the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time, with this brand-new F1 circuit as the venue for the event until 2035; however, preparations do not appear to be going perfectly.

The National Police of Spain are investigating a theft at the 'Madring' Formula 1 circuit after it hosted an encouraging Formula 3 event.

During the Formula 3 tests, the Madrid circuit lived up to expectations, and the drivers highlighted the demanding nature of the street circuit.

While there is excitement for the first-ever Grand Prix at the ‘Madring’, September 11 to 13, as the Drivers’ Championship begins to heat up following the summer break, this theft will be a cause for concern for the organisers of the event and those within Formula 1.

The theft of electrical cables from generators at the new F1 circuit was detected on Sunday, 30 August, in a tunnel section of the ‘Madring’, as reported by ABC.

An investigation by the police has been opened to establish the circumstances of the theft and identify those responsible, while investigators are also assessing the extent of the stolen material and whether the incident has affected final preparations for the race.

Kimi Antonelli will travel to Madrid as the leader in the Drivers’ Championship; as before the Italian this weekend, he has a 59-point lead over his Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

Meanwhile, the winner of the last two Grand Prix is currently 83-points behind the Italian.

Antonelli will be aiming for damage control in his home Grand Prix this weekend as he will be starting from the back of the grid after Mercedes took the decision to fit a fresh power unit on his car at the Monza circuit.

The Italian will be aware that his title rivals will likely make up points in the battle to be crowned world champion at the end of the campaign; however, his lead is so strong, along with this new power unit, that he will feel confident going into the Spanish Grand Prix that he can secure his seventh win of the season.

Fans and drivers enter this Spanish Grand Prix for the first time in a long time, unaware of how it could play out due to the fresh circuit at Madrid, so there will be excitement to see how it unfolds.