The Madring circuit, located in Madrid, has welcomed the first free practice sessions in its history, featuring the Formula 3 grid, the step before Formula 1. These sessions, taking place on August 24 and 25, mark the competition's return after the summer break and serve as a definitive test to fine-tune details for the upcoming F1 Spanish Grand Prix, scheduled for the weekend of September 11-13.
During the morning session, focused on validating logistical, operational, and safety aspects, American driver Ugo Ugochukwu set the fastest time with 1:51.901. He was closely followed by Spaniard Bruno del Pino, just 57 thousandths behind, with a time of 1:51.901.
“"Deafening noise in the Hortaleza district due to the tests for the F1 race. The whim of a few attacks the health of many. Our neighborhoods are not a circuit!"
However, the initial practice sessions have reignited complaints from residents of the Valdebebas neighborhood, the closest to the circuit. The Stop Festivales en IFEMA platform denounced the "deafening noise" on the social network 'X', calling it an attack on health. Meanwhile, the citizen account @HilosValdebebas predicted mobility and isolation issues during the Grand Prix.
The environmental platform Jarama Vivo also expressed concern, stating that the noise from the tests is already "unbearable" and that the Grand Prix will be worse. In contrast, the Community of Madrid Government defends the project, highlighting resident "well-being." The Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Sport, Mariano de Paco, assured that "special attention" is being paid to mitigate disturbances and defended the compatibility of the event with daily life, indicating that the circuit will be "perfectly isolated" and the event will last only three days.
