Carlos Sainz has just turned the first wheels at F1's newest venue, and his verdict is clear: the Madring is quicker than it looks. The Williams driver took a 450bhp Ford Mustang GT for a spin around the 5.4km, 22-turn circuit near Madrid's Barajas airport, giving fans an early taste of what to expect when the Spanish Grand Prix returns in September.

The track, built around the IFEMA fairgrounds, is still under construction ahead of an FIA inspection later this month. But with the tarmac already laid, Sainz got a feel for its unique rhythm. He immediately spotted a prime overtaking spot at the Turn 1-2 chicane, but warned that the long straight into the Turn 5-6 chicane will make battery management "very strategic" for drivers.

The real excitement starts at Turn 9, where the circuit leaves public roads behind and enters a purpose-built section. Here, high-speed corners take over, and Sainz believes this is where "we'll enjoy a Formula 1 car at its absolute best." The highlight is Turn 12, a bullring-shaped banking called "La Monumental" with a 24% gradient that should be flat out—but with a twist. "It's not only banked—it's also blind," Sainz said. "You've created quite a cocktail."

Exiting La Monumental into Turn 13, he expects another overtaking chance, followed by the Valdebebas esses. These fast, flowing corners remind Sainz of Spa and Silverstone, setting the stage for a dramatic finish back at IFEMA. With its mix of technical chicanes, high-speed sweeps, and that blind banking, the Madring is shaping up to be a true test of skill for the F1 grid.