Formula 1 made history in Spain this year, and Real Madrid defender Éder Militão was there to see it. The centre-back attended the first Spanish Grand Prix at Madring, Madrid’s new circuit, and shared the weekend on Instagram with a simple caption: “F1 MADRING 26.”
The Eder Militao Madring trip was also a short one. The circuit is right next to Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground.
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A historic weekend for F1
Madring was one of the biggest changes to the 2026 calendar. Built around Madrid’s IFEMA exhibition centre, the 5.4 km, 22-turn track took over the Spanish Grand Prix from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which had hosted the race for 35 years. Barcelona now hosts its own Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, rotating with Belgium.
The standout feature is La Monumental, the longest banked corner in Formula 1, inspired by Spanish bullrings.
Teams arrived with no data on the new track, and the weekend was close all the way. Lando Norris took pole from championship leader Kimi Antonelli, but on Sunday, 13 September, Antonelli won the race, ahead of Max Verstappen and Norris.
A paddock full of familiar faces
For Militão, the weekend turned into a Real Madrid reunion. He shared a hug with former captain Sergio Ramos in the paddock, both of them grinning in sunglasses.
He also met Spain’s two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin garage, where they posed with a signed Militão shirt.
Elsewhere, he toured the Red Bull garage wearing headphones, posed with the Spanish Grand Prix trophy, and visited Audi to take a photo with Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto.
A weekend away from the pitch
The photos also show a more relaxed side of F1. Militão walks the grounds with his partner and watches from Red Bull’s hospitality area as a crowd of around 110,000 fills the new venue.
For a player used to performing under pressure, a day as a spectator at one of the most anticipated new tracks in years was a different kind of occasion: about history rather than results.
Why Madring matters
Madring was designed to be easy to reach. It’s an eight-minute metro ride from Madrid-Barajas airport, and it has a 10-year contract to host the race until 2035. Capacity is planned to grow to 140,000 within five years.
Like Miami, it’s part of F1’s push towards city-based venues. That means this first race, and the people who were there, will always be part of its story.
FAQ
What is Madring?
Formula 1’s new circuit in Madrid, built around the IFEMA exhibition centre. It hosted the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time in 2026.
Who won the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix?
Kimi Antonelli, ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Norris started from pole.
Who did Éder Militão meet at Madring?
Former Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos, Fernando Alonso and Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto.
Is Barcelona still on the F1 calendar?
Yes, as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, which rotates with the Belgian Grand Prix.
Sources: Formula1.com; Wikipedia; The Race.
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