(Motorsport-Total.com) – Monaco has its hairpin, Spa-Francorchamps Eau Rouge/Raidillon, and Silverstone the Maggotts, Becketts, Chapel corner complex: According to Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, the new Formula 1 race track “Madring” in Madrid has a good chance of soon being mentioned in the same breath as these traditional tracks and their distinctive sections.
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The reason is corner 12 in Madrid: “La Monumental”. Leclerc described it as a “really special corner” after the Ferrari demo laps in July. He said: “It could become one of the most iconic corners of the season.”
But what makes this corner so special? One aspect is its almost semicircular course, another is its strong banking over large parts with up to 24 percent lateral inclination (about 13 degrees) – the track slopes significantly towards the inside of the right-hand corner. Added to this are the corner length of around 500 meters and the stadium atmosphere created by grandstands on the outside. (Photo series: New Formula 1 tracks since 2000)
Above all, the latter will “cause a lot of talk worldwide,” said Alpine driver Franco Colapinto. “There will be space for 45,000 fans just in this area, around a single corner. That’s crazy!”
“La Monumental” commands respect in Formula 1
All this sounds “quite impressive” to Pirelli chief engineer Simone Berra. The corner is technically very demanding: “We expect it to probably be the most critical section of the entire season for our tires. It’s not just about the lateral forces, but especially about the vertical load,” Berra explained.
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New Formula 1 tracks since 2000
Colapinto firmly expects that the drivers will “also physically feel the quite demanding corner […]. Due to the banking and the high speed we can carry through such a corner, it will look quite spectacular from the outside,” Colapinto explained. “In the car, it will be a real challenge.”
The big question is: Will “La Monumental” be taken flat out?
The combination of corner banking and corner length of “La Monumental” thus makes it difficult for the Formula 1 drivers in Madrid. “We will have to be very brave in qualifying to really drive at the limit,” said Leclerc. “That will be really cool.”
Whether “La Monumental” can be taken flat out still has to be seen. After his demo laps in July, Leclerc had expressed doubts: “It didn’t look like it then. We were very, very far from taking it flat out during our test laps. But that was mainly due to the dust on the track.”
This dust is now gone, the course and “La Monumental” are ready for the Formula 1 premiere this weekend (follow all sessions here in the Formula 1 live ticker!). And “one thing is certain,” according to Leclerc: “Full commitment will be required,” because the new Madring is “very demanding,” but offers a “nice rhythm” for the drivers. “I especially like that with street circuits,” said Leclerc.
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