Pirelli has declared the Madrid Circuit’s new banked Turn 12, La Monumental, safe for Formula 1, even after a 5.5‑second stint of continuous load that rivals the toughest bends on the calendar.
Banking geometry and tyre duty cycle
La Monumental features 13.5° of banking, an incline around 24%, yet it is only a little gentler than Zandvoort’s 18° rise. The corner’s extended length forces tyres to endure a duty cycle twice that of most other straights, because drivers spend 5.5 seconds under load instead of the usual two or three. Simone Berra, Pirelli’s chief engineer, confirmed the simulation results match the real‑world data collected during practice.
Teams’ divergent simulations and on‑track reality
Team computers were split on the corner’s handling: some predicted a grip‑limited section requiring throttle lift, while others expected full‑throttle runs. Berra said the first group were correct, with drivers easing off to 30–40 % of the throttle for the first two seconds before attacking the final stretch. That pattern matched the telemetry of the top‑three entrants during free practice.
Driver’s eye on lap‑time gains
Ferrari’s Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz started full throttle then eased near the apex before flat‑out exit. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen noted the banking demands driver skill, saying flat‑out was unlikely but “there’s a bit of skill involved.” Kimi Antonelli, racing with Ferrari, applied smoother throttle at entry and stayed steady through the corner, showcasing the split between simulation and actual driving style.
Safety assessment remains positive
Despite the steep curvature, Pirelli’s analysis shows no safety risk at this time. With on‑floor checks underway—tire sections from FP2 and FP3 are still being examined—no restrictions such as maximum stint lengths are considered necessary. Berra emphasized that they will keep monitoring the load data for further assurance.
Implications for the season’s new layout
The commentary on La Monumental illustrates how aerodynamics, tyre durability, and driver technique intertwine on a banked oval, highlighting Formula 1’s commitment to safeguarding performance while delivering thrilling, technically demanding races.
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