The Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix is getting closer and closer, which will mark the inauguration of the Madring circuit. This weekend, between September 11 and 13, the best motorsport drivers will compete in what they have called a complex and surprising career, especially for Madrid’s Carlos Sainz Jr.
The Williams driver has demonstrated his expectation to drive on what he has called “a difficult and very demanding circuit”, in which both his skills and engines will be put to the test. Especially in its iconic La Monumental curve, with 550 meters, a semicircular shape and an extreme bank of 24%, which makes it the longest on the calendar.
As explained on the circuit’s official website, the drivers will remain “approximately 6 seconds turning tilted with their cars“, which will be a great technical challenge for both the drivers and their teams. Likewise, it has a maximum height of 10 meters and is one of the fastest areas, being able to reach a speed of 340 km/h.
‘La Monumental’, the biggest challenge for the drivers in Madring
Specifications that have intimidated all competitors, but, especially, Carlos Sainz Jr.who assured “As” that he was “very surprised that F1 dared to authorize this curve on the calendar and that Pirelli gave the go-ahead, because it is not an easy curve for F1 cars because the stress that the tire will suffer“he explained.
However, the Madrid native accepted the challenge with great enthusiasm, welcoming him and indicating that he will bring “character and personality” to the competitions. During the training sessions, which took place in the days before the race, the drivers had to develop a strategy with their teams to adapt the capabilities of their engine and tires to the high demands of this new circuit.
Although not only Sainz has expressed his surprise at ‘La Monumental’, also some of the most powerful competitors, such as Charles Leclerc. After doing his first laps around the circuit, the Ferrari driver assured the press that “it will be a really great corner, could become one of the most emblematic of the year“and agreed with the Madrid native about the difficulties they will present to his teammates.
A fast and demanding route
However, Madring is not just ‘La Monumental’, but it is a complex circuit of 5.47 kilometers and 22 curves. The estimated time of the lap will be 1 minute and 32 seconds and the maximum speed that the pilots will reach will be 320 km/h, although it will force them to reduce speed to 100 km/h in braking zones.
Other points where the drivers will have to pay special attention is turn 4, where 340 km/h will be reached, which will have to be reduced to 80 km/h for turn 5. Once passed, they will have to face the ‘Subida de las Cárcavas’, with a gradient of 8% on an upward slope. In total, there will be four opportunities to overtake throughout the race.
According to Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari driver, it is “a circuit for qualifying laps and there are practically no straights, so it seems like a difficult place to overtake,” says “As.” A challenge that both the British and the Madrid native have decided to accept with the aim of demonstrating their ability in single-seaters. All in a scenario that, as Sainz indicated, It has not been seen on any other circuit on the calendar.