What happened: Madrid takes over hosting duties for the Spanish Grand Prix under a 10-year deal, shifting the race to a new circuit built around the city center. The layout runs 57 laps and combines street and permanent-track sections, a design teams and drivers are still working to master. Barcelona's race, which previously held the Spanish GP slot, moves to a biennial schedule.

Why it matters: The switch continues Formula 1's push to place races in dense urban centers rather than traditional standalone circuits. Red Bull's promotional run of its title-winning RB8 on Madrid Metro rails and an Audi exhibition at Plaza de Colón have built anticipation ahead of the city's first F1 weekend in 45 years.

What to watch: Teams and drivers will continue adapting setups to the circuit's mixed street-and-permanent layout ahead of Madrid's debut Spanish Grand Prix weekend.