Real Madrid winger Rodrygo swapped his usual weekend routine for a pit-lane pass on 13 September. He posted a “RACE DAY 🏁🇪🇸💙” carousel from inside the Mercedes-AMG Petronas garage at the first Spanish Grand Prix held at Madring, Madrid’s new circuit.
His timing was perfect: a few hours later, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the race.
View this post on Instagram
F1 returns to Madrid
The Spanish Grand Prix moved to Madrid for 2026, run at Madring inside the IFEMA exhibition grounds after 35 years at Barcelona-Catalunya.
It isn’t quite Madrid’s first F1 race. The old Jarama circuit, just north of the city, hosted the Spanish Grand Prix nine times up to 1981. But it’s the first in 45 years, and the first on a circuit built into the city itself. Madring is also just minutes from Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground.
From the Bernabéu to the garage
Rodrygo’s photos show him and his group in Mercedes team gear inside the garage: caps, polos and a close look at the pit equipment, including the wheel guns. He also swapped a signed Real Madrid No. 11 shirt with the team.
For a footballer, a shirt swap is the natural way to mark the day. Doing it in the garage that went on to win made the keepsake even more special.
The Mercedes win he witnessed
Lando Norris started on pole, but Antonelli won after timing his pit stop perfectly during a Virtual Safety Car, ahead of Max Verstappen and Norris. It was the Italian’s eighth win of 2026, and it put him 81 points clear in the championship.
Even Antonelli admitted he’d been lucky. “Today we didn’t deserve to win,” he said. “Lando deserved to win today.”
Why Rodrygo had a free weekend
Rodrygo’s afternoon off had a less happy reason. He tore his ACL earlier in 2026 and missed the World Cup with Brazil.
He’s getting closer to a return. This week he completed ball work with the rest of the squad for the first time, although reports say he isn’t expected to be cleared to play until at least January.
Real Madrid at Madring
Rodrygo wasn’t the only Real Madrid player at the circuit. Defender Éder Militão also spent the weekend in the paddock, where he reunited with Sergio Ramos and met Fernando Alonso.
With F1 now racing just down the road from Valdebebas, Real Madrid’s players could be regulars at the race.
FAQ
Where is the Spanish Grand Prix held?
Since 2026, at Madring, a new circuit at the IFEMA exhibition grounds in Madrid.
Who won the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix?
Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes, ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
Has Madrid hosted F1 before?
Yes. The Jarama circuit near Madrid hosted the Spanish Grand Prix up to 1981.
When will Rodrygo return from injury?
He is recovering from a torn ACL and is not expected back until at least January 2027.
Sources: Formula1.com; GrandPrix247; Yahoo Sports; Wikipedia.
Read next:
