Perez says Madring safety will match Jeddah
Sergio Perez told Marca that the new Madring street circuit in Madrid will not be more dangerous than Jeddah. The Mexican driver, who has extensive experience on high-speed street tracks, compared the layouts directly after simulator runs and noted that both demand precision near walls.
Perez compares Madring to Jeddah
Sergio Perez stated that the Madring circuit will not be more dangerous than Jeddah in any case.[1] The Cadillac driver made the comments to Marca after spending time in the simulator ahead of the Monza race weekend. He described the Madrid layout as unforgiving with walls close to the racing line at high speed, yet he placed it on the same safety level as the Saudi Arabian street circuit where he has competed multiple times.[1]
Track characteristics
Madring features a slow-speed chicane at the start followed by flat-out sections that lead into high-speed chicanes with limited runoff. Formula 3 testing earlier in 2026 produced multiple red flags and chassis damage, prompting comparisons to other wall-lined venues.[2] Perez, who has secured several victories on similar tracks including Jeddah, emphasized that such circuits represent the nature of Formula 1 racing.[1]
Context for 2026 Spanish GP
The Spanish Grand Prix moves to Madrid for 2026 while Barcelona hosts a separate June event. Perez views the challenge positively and sees it as an opportunity for his team. Other drivers have noted the track's technical demands and the likelihood of safety cars or red flags during the debut weekend.[2]
Related reading
- [1]Checo Pérez encantado con Madring: 'Y no será más peligroso que Jeddah, en ningún caso' (marca). Accessed 2026-09-10.
- [2]Why F1's new Madrid track is a 'car killer' (the-race). Accessed 2026-09-10.