Race Review | 2026 Spanish Grand Prix | 197 | Formula 1 Tried to Build a New Monaco in Madrid. Was Anyone Actually Convinced?

A brand-new Formula One circuit opened in Madrid this year, engineered, by more than one account, to evoke Monaco. Kimi Antonelli won the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix and called the result a little lucky himself. Lando Norris led much of the race before a virtual safety car, thrown four seconds after he had already committed past the pit entry, erased his advantage. The FIA later issued an explanation for the call. Joe Saward has a read on why that explanation existed at all.

Dick, Joe, and Sabrina spend this episode picking apart what a new circuit actually needs to succeed on the Formula 1 calendar, and whether Madrid has it. They also get into two stories developing off the track that could matter more than Sunday's result: a mystery American buyer closing in on a quarter of Alpine, and a five-driver decision at Haas that will say a lot about what Gene Haas actually wants his team to become. And after Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen both grew louder about the 2026 cars the same week the FIA president made comments about Aston Martin's engine partner, Dick and Joe land in very different places on what, if anything, is actually going on.

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