Sainz was surprised that the FIA sanctioned the banked corner in Madrid.

      "From the moment I saw the design..."

      Carlos Sainz has expressed his astonishment that Formula 1 and the FIA approved the impressive new banked corner in Madrid. The Williams driver was present at the official inauguration event of the Madring on Tuesday, where the media were afforded one of the clearest glimpses yet of the circuit amidst ongoing uncertainty about whether it will be ready in time for its debut in Formula 1.

      While major construction and asphalt work have been completed, temporary grandstands for nearly 100,000 fans, hospitality areas, and much of the safety fencing still require installation. Construction vehicles remained active on the site on Tuesday.

      "We will be on schedule," asserted Carlos Jimenez, the operations director of Madring. "The most challenging phases are behind us, so I’m not concerned, but we must remain vigilant."

      At the heart of the project is the so-called La Monumental corner, a 540-meter banked turn with a 24 percent incline—the maximum allowed by FIA regulations. "From the moment I saw the design, I was very surprised that F1 chose to include this corner on the calendar and that Pirelli approved it," Sainz remarked. "It’s a challenging corner for F1 cars due to the strain it will put on the tires. It’s nearly a 180-degree turn with a steep gradient. It will be challenging for the teams and engineers - we’ll see how they manage it.

      "But it’s a positive addition, as it brings character and personality." The Spanish driver anticipates that the corner will be navigated at full throttle. "I would need a simulator, but it looks impressive,” he noted. “We’ll approach it at very high speed, close to 200 kph, and I believe it will be taken flat out the entire way."

      The Madrid native believes that the circuit's greatest strength lies in its dynamic nature. "If I had to describe the circuit in a few words, the first sector resembles a street circuit with long straights, akin to Baku. But suddenly, after turns seven and eight, the tone shifts, and it becomes more like a permanent circuit. The walls are farther away, the corners are wider and allow for higher speeds. In the third sector, it reverts to a street circuit."

      "It has a unique feature that no other circuit on the calendar offers, which gives it charm and character." The Madridring is set to host its first Formula 1 race in mid-September.