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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFormula 3 cars have taken to the new Madring test ahead of its F1 debut next month. Image: Madring<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFormula 3 cars have taken to the new Madring test ahead of its F1 debut next month. Image: Madring<\/p>\n
The 5.4-kilometre venue hosted all 30 F3 drivers and 10 teams across Monday and Tuesday, providing the first opportunity to assess the circuit under sustained competitive conditions before the Spanish Grand Prix on September 11-13.<\/p>\n
Campos Racing\u2019s Ugo Ugochukwu emerged with the fastest time of the test after recording a 1:49.034s during Tuesday morning, finishing 0.193s clear of Hiyu Yamakoshi.<\/p>\n
Championship leader Freddie Slater, who had led the opening day for Trident, topped Tuesday afternoon with a 1:49.685s as teams shifted towards longer race runs.<\/p>\n
The test was as important for Madring as it was for the F3 field, with race control, communications, marshal operations, medical services and recovery procedures all exercised ahead of the circuit\u2019s F1 debut.<\/p>\n
A series of stoppages across the final day gave officials several opportunities to put those systems into practice as drivers explored the limits of an unfamiliar layout.<\/p>\n
Attention also turned towards how the circuit drove, with Slater among those impressed after experiencing the combination of street-style sections, faster corners and significant elevation changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was a really positive day. I think this track is incredible to drive, it\u2019s a bit old-school, got some interesting corners and it\u2019s got a lot of character to it,\u201d Slater said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s probably one of the most enjoyable on a push lap on the calendar. I\u2019m just enjoying it. I\u2019m having fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spanish driver Bruno del Pino described Madring as \u201cthe most adrenaline-fuelled circuit of the entire season\u201d, while Van Amersfoort Racing\u2019s Theophile Nael drew comparisons with established street circuits such as Macau and Monaco.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you are flat out, you can feel the G-forces. Inside the car, it is incredible,\u201d Nael said.<\/p>\n
The two days also marked Alex Powell\u2019s first running with Prema after he was announced as Louis Sharp\u2019s replacement for the final two rounds of the F3 season.<\/p>\n
Powell ended Tuesday morning 22nd with a 1:50.669s, only 0.032s behind Australian teammate James Wharton, who finished 21st.<\/p>\n
Sharp and Prema agreed to end the New Zealander\u2019s campaign during the summer break, allowing him to turn his attention towards securing his plans for 2027.<\/p>\n
Madring combines public roads with newly constructed sections around Madrid\u2019s IFEMA exhibition complex and features 22 corners, with the heavily banked La Monumental forming its most recognisable section<\/a>.<\/p>\n The circuit will take over as host of the Spanish Grand Prix under a 10-year agreement through 2035, returning Formula 1 to Madrid for the first time since Jarama hosted a world championship race in 1981.<\/p>\n Formula 3 will return to Madring for its season finale alongside F1 at the Spanish Grand Prix, after first travelling to Monza for the penultimate round on September 4-6.<\/p>\n