Formula 3 pole‑position holder Freddie Slater labeled Madrid’s brand‑new street circuit “incredible” after topping the first day of a dual‑day test at the IFEMA venue.
Slater hails Madrid street circuit as a rookie favourite
During the 24‑25 August test, Slater delivered a 1:50.343 lap for Trident, while Campos Racing’s Ugo Ugochukwu set the fastest 1:49.034 on day two. Both times trailed the projected 1:32 s pace of a Formula 1 car but reflected the learning curve of a brand‑new layout.
Track characteristics impress the junior driver
Spanning 3.365 mi with 22 corners, the circuit weaves through private and public roads circling the IFEMA Exhibition Centre. “It’s an old‑school layout with interesting corners and a lot of character,” Slater said, citing the 5‑6 chicane as a personal highlight. He compared its style to Macau and Monaco, noting the balance between pushing limits and maintaining safety.
Season outlook and head‑to‑head battle
Slater currently leads the standings by eight points over Ugochukwu. The 2026 campaign will finish with races at Monza on 5‑6 September followed by the Madrid finale on 12‑13 September, a timing that could tighten the title race further.
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