2026 Madrid F1 Circuit: Race It In Assetto Corsa Already

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The event has just been announced, but the 2026 Madrid F1 circuit is already a thing in Assetto Corsa. A basic version of the new Grand Prix venue is available on RaceDepartment, courtesy of “Nukedrop” Tyrone Hesbrook.

It feels like the debate about yet another street circuit joining the Formula One calendar has not even reached its boiling point already, and yet, the track in question is already driveable in sim racing. Assetto Corsa track modder @Tyrone - Nukedrop Mods has created a basic version of the Madrid F1 circuit that will host the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026 onwards.

Madrdid-2026p.png

The 2026 Madrid F1 circuit features public roads, but also a purpose-built section in its second sector. Image credit: racingcircuits.info

Many fans are not fond of the idea that Madrid is going to replace Barcelona-Catalunya, although the future of the venue in F1 is not quite clear yet. However, following the changes of Sauber/Alfa Romeo and Alpha Tauri to names filled to the brim with sponsors, many consider F1’s foray into the Spanish capital another sign of escalating commercialization of their favorite sport.

2026 Madrid F1 Circuit: Drive It Two Years Before The Grand Prix​

Still, having a driveable version available for Assetto Corsa over two years before the Madrid F1 circuit is scheduled to materialize is commendable. Released merely a day after the announcement, “Nukedrop” used the published layout and actual maps of Madrid as a base. “Is this super accurate to how the real track will be? No, it’s just to give an idea of the flow of the circuit“, he states in the mod description.

Those expecting eye candy will be disappointed as a result, but it is interesting to see how the track might turn out at this point in time already. Much like many of F1’s recent street circuits, Madrid is rather fast, which is aided by the fact that it is technically a hybrid circuit. While most of the track is laid out on public roads, there is a purpose-built section planned.

Assetto-Corsa-F1-2026-Madrid-Valdebeba-Corner-1024x576.jpg

The super fast Valdebebas corner is likely going to be the party piece of the 2026 Madrid F1 circuit.

Mostly situated in what will be the second sector, the section features a long right-hander called Valdebebas. In the Assetto Corsa version, this is slightly banked – should this carry over to the real track, it could be one of the fastest turns on the F1 calendar.

More Flow Than First Meets The Eye​

The Madrid F1 circuit has some flow, but surprisingly little overtaking opportunities. At least not many spots look like it. Turn 11 following Valdebebas could be one, Turn 17 might be another. But from our first few laps, it feels like Madrid is going to be rather difficult to pass at.

What is not immediately apparent from simply looking at the layout is that the circuit features interesting elevation change. This caught us out a few times when trying to learn the track, especially at the Turn 7-8-9 complex. This follows a long, fast section that passes under the nearby motorway. A crest in the middle part of the sequence can send you into the outside barriers rather quickly if you are not careful.

Assetto-Corsa-F1-2026-Madrid-Turns-1-2-1024x576.jpg

Turns 1 and 2 at the upcoming Madrid F1 circuit have some room for errors – and track limits arguments.

Other sequences, like Turns 1 and 2 have a relatively good amount of space to account for mistakes. The track is marked by curbs at this point, also making it a spot that is likely going to spark track limits discussions. Fun!

Madrid F1 Circuit in Assetto Corsa: Updates Along The Way?​

Despite all the flack the new layout has been getting, our first impression of the circuit is actually quite fun. At least in sim racing, that is. Whether or not it will deliver exciting racing remains to be seen, but it may well be one of these tracks that is spectacular for last-minute quali runs. And the thought of side-by-side action at Valdebeba is quite intriguing as well – if cars can actually run the corner alongside each other, that is.

As more info on the track becomes available, the Madrid F1 circuit for Assetto Corsa is likely going to be updated accordingly. “Nukedrop” has done so before with the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit. Originally released on April 1, 2022, the track has last been updated in November of 2023 – on the very day of the actual Grand Prix.

Jarama: Formula One’s Former Madrid Venue​

The Madrid F1 circuit will not be the first time the Formula One circus will make station at the Spanish capital, or rather close to it. Between 1968 and 1981, the nearby Circuito del Jarama hosted the Spanish Grand Prix nine times, alternating with Montjuïc in Barcelona. In fact, Jarama is a mere 20-minute drive away from the new venue.

Jarama66.png

Jarama in its 1966-1979 configuration, as used for eight of its nine Spanish Grand Prix appearances as part of the World Championship. Image credit: racingcircuits.info

Winners at Jarama include Graham Hill (1968), Jackie Stewart (1970), Emerson Fittipaldi (1972), Niki Lauda (1974), James Hunt (1976), Mario Andretti (1977 & 1978), Patrick Depailler (1979) and Gilles Villeneuve (1981). During that time, it was also held as a non-championship race twice, with Jim Clark taking the honors in 1967, and Alan Jones being victorious in 1980.

With the move to the new Madrid F1 circuit, Catalunya’s history as host of the Spanish Grand Prix will end after 35 races. It may not be goodbye forever for Catalunya – we will find out whether or not the Madrid track will actually be around for all ten years of its brand-new contract.

What are your thoughts on the new Madrid F1 circuit? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
About author
Yannik Haustein
Lifelong motorsport enthusiast and sim racing aficionado, walking racing history encyclopedia.

Sim racing editor, streamer and one half of the SimRacing Buddies podcast (warning, German!).

Heel & Toe Gang 4 life :D

Comments

In Assetto Corsa, I'm on 2 tracks, Road America and Sachsenring in Hypercars, will try Madrid F1 later.
 
Downloaded it, tried it. It was great, although I had some issues with the stands textures/materials. No idea why but it showed only pink.

Did precisely 2 timed laps, filmed it, will publish it on my youtube channel (credits will be given) and in the second lap ever I went 1sec quicker than the predicted lap time, but I feel there are further 3-4 seconds to be found easily.

If anything, like the author itself says, it's not 100% precise and for visually showcasing how this track is, it is good!! Well done!
1706556554742.png
 
Good to know, thank you for the tip. An other reason to love AC, not only we have access to all the tracks from the past to the present, but now we even have access to the future. This VR Sim racer is very happy.
 
Oh no, yet another nightmare (not the sim mod I reckon).

OK I positivey know I've definitely been way too busy in life for past 2-3 years, but reading headliner back to first FIA F1 news of F1 returning to Madrid, I was a 100% it was in-between lines the venue would be at Jarama, yet again.
A track I simwise have enjoyed soo much through various sim mods for now 20 years, both modern and vintageversions.

I'm far from sure that my mind is ready for yet another soulless mickey mouse track without history, it grieves me deep into my heart.

In that case drop Vegas this season and take like for instance Barber Motorsport Park in advance (and slack at the term 'tier 1 track' ofc this site should not be destroyed, but at same state pre- and post F1 event).
 
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Premium
Alternatively you can say no to madness and not race it. Also stop watching F1 until the greedy Yanks leave.
Very stupid comment. id prefer the English teams to leave, they keep stopping new teams from entering. Red Bull is the most commercialised team in the history of F1, and they are not "Yanks"
 
Alternatively you can say no to madness and not race it. Also stop watching F1 until the greedy Yanks leave.
Ya, it wasn't the yanks who ruined F1 for me after 30+ years. It was a particular person from Australia and those Europeans and Middle Easterners who backed him up.

But, you can see how dumb it is to assign this kind of blame to nationalities.

New tracks like this one, Miami, or Las Vegas do nothing to entice me back. Quite the opposite.
 
Premium
but not really a good track for F1 "racing". Kind of like Monaco and Hungaroring, great for sim driving, not great in real F1 races
Really, I think this suits the F1 cars perfectly and is the most similar to Zandvoort, but better and more interesting. This is a really challenging track to drive hard with a fast car.

Also, this is already in the F1 calendar so yes it is suitable for those cars. We'll see how it goes.

 
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Very stupid comment. id prefer the English teams to leave, they keep stopping new teams from entering. Red Bull is the most commercialised team in the history of F1, and they are not "Yanks"
He doesn't mean "teams" he means Liberty Media. But Fine, let's have all the "British" teams leave and you wouldn't be left with a lot.
 
Thanks for the feature!

There's already a significant update been made to the track on my end, but I'm away right now so it'll be a few days before I can post it.

Downloaded it, tried it. It was great, although I had some issues with the stands textures/materials. No idea why but it showed only pink.

Did precisely 2 timed laps, filmed it, will publish it on my youtube channel (credits will be given) and in the second lap ever I went 1sec quicker than the predicted lap time, but I feel there are further 3-4 seconds to be found easily.

If anything, like the author itself says, it's not 100% precise and for visually showcasing how this track is, it is good!! Well done!
View attachment 725341
In custom shaders patch these are hidden. Are you not using it?
 
Moderator
Premium
Madrid is not Africa, so I don't get why if I report this it has not any outcome.
Because you accused him of racism whereas he only hoped for an African F1 race.
So it was rejected for your interpretation of a comment.
 
While I appreciate the sentiment behind wanting an Africa race, F1 is the absolute last thing any country in Africa needs (including South Africa). Unless you have oil pouring out of your faucets, A-listers lining up to drop USD$1300 for a ticket, a population that has motorsports ingrained in their culture, or F1.com willing to heavily subsidize for whatever reason, it makes zero sense.

Even Germany, where cars are sacred and speed limits verboten to such a degree that their energy strategy relies mainly on importing fuel from their biggest international threat, cannot successfully support a race - even sharing one event alternating between two circuits. I went to the last (of 3) GP in Delhi. The organizers lost something like $25 million on that venture.

Thirty years ago, yes, but now it makes no sense.
 

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