Police are investigating the theft of about 300 meters of electrical cabling from Madring before Madrid's first Formula 1 grand prix.
About 300 meters of electrical cabling and wiring have been stolen from Madrid's new Formula 1 venue, triggering a police investigation ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix on September 11 to 13.
Police investigate Madring theft
The theft took place at Madring, the new circuit constructed around the IFEMA complex. The venue is near Barajas airport and Real Madrid's training ground.
Police are investigating as final preparations continue for the race weekend. Madrid will host its first Formula 1 grand prix at the circuit in 2026, replacing Barcelona as the home of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Final preparations reach a critical week
Formula 1 activity at the site has already disrupted the neighboring sports complex, with Real Madrid's training interrupted by testing linked to the new circuit.
Teams have no previous grand prix data from Madring. Friday practice will provide their first competitive reference for car setup, tire behavior and the circuit surface.
Title fight heads to an unknown circuit
Kimi Antonelli arrives in Madrid holding a 66-point championship lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell. Lewis Hamilton is 76 points behind Antonelli, while Lando Norris trails by 96 points with 10 scheduled rounds remaining.
Antonelli extended his advantage at Monza on Sunday, September 6. The 20-year-old started 19th following an engine-change penalty, then won the Italian Grand Prix by 3.857 seconds over Russell.
It marked the first Monza victory by an Italian driver since Ferrari's Ludovico Scarfiotti won in 1966. Antonelli's result was also the 50th Formula 1 win by an Italian driver.
Mercedes carries momentum into Madrid
Russell led from lap 2 at Monza until Charles Leclerc's heavy crash caused a red flag, stopping the race for roughly 30 minutes. Mercedes later secured a 1-2, while Max Verstappen finished third for Red Bull.
McLaren missed the podium. Norris finished fourth and Oscar Piastri fifth, with the team ending the race about 19 seconds behind Antonelli.
Antonelli's championship margin increased from 59 points before Monza to 66 afterward.
Spanish Grand Prix is next
Formula 1 heads straight from Monza to Madrid. Circuit staff have their final days to prepare as police continue investigating the missing cabling.
The first Spanish Grand Prix track session at Madring is scheduled during the September 11 to 13 race weekend.
