Madrid’s Banked Turn 12 Emerges as Decisive Factor in Spanish Grand Prix

The new circuit around Madrid’s IFEMA complex had already sparked intense debate in the paddock before the weekend, with teams initially worried the track might prove to be a “car killer” following a chaotic Formula 3 test. However, attention has also focused on La Monumental, the circuit’s heavily banked Turn 12, which features 13.5 degrees of incline—roughly 24 percent.

While less banked than Zandvoort’s final corner, Pirelli considers La Monumental the most demanding corner on the entire calendar for tires. “The peak vertical energy isn’t higher than other corners like Qatar or Zandvoort,” explained chief engineer Simone Berra. “The critical factor is the duration of load—5.5 seconds continuously versus two or three seconds elsewhere, effectively doubling the duty cycle.”

Early real-world data aligns with simulations, Berra confirmed. “So far it matches our projections. We’re still reviewing all loads and data—checked three or four teams already—and what we’ve seen corresponds with expectations.”

The length of the banked corner means that the overall load on the tyres is greater than at Zandvoort

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With no safety concerns emerging—unlike past issues at Qatar—there are currently no plans for maximum stint lengths or other interventions in Madrid. “Nothing to be concerned about right now,” Berra said. “We’re still sectioning tires and checking constructions. We’ll continue tomorrow, but for now there are no concerns.”

Teams had also debated whether La Monumental could be taken flat-out, given its length and complex elevation changes. Simulations varied considerably. “It was interesting to see if the simulations from the teams were aligned in Turn 12, because some teams expected to be grip-limited,” Berra noted. “They expected that they had to lift from the throttle in this section, while other teams expected to be full throttle there.

Verstappen had already predicted on Thursday that the corner wouldn’t be taken at full throttle and that ‘driver skill’ would be a factor

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“The reality is that the teams that simulated lifting were correct. Especially in the first part of the turn, they had to lift a bit, like 30 or 40 percent from the throttle. And then after two seconds, they could push again.”

This affects tire loads and the integrity analysis teams conduct every weekend. Free practice data confirmed this pattern: both Ferrari drivers began full-throttle before lifting significantly, while Kimi Antonelli was more conservative on entry. All three were flat through the second part of the corner. Drivers noted this complexity makes it a place to gain time, as Max Verstappen predicted: “The banking is cool. It won’t be easy flat—I think there’s skill involved, which is always good.”

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