Pirelli has labeled La Monumental, Turn 12 of the new Madrid circuit, as the most demanding corner for tyres on the entire Formula 1 calendar. With 13.5 degrees of banking—equivalent to an incline of around 24%—it is less steep than Zandvoort's final corner, which has 18 degrees of banking. However, the duration of the load makes it far more brutal.
"Basically the peak of the vertical energy is not higher than in other corners that we have in the calendar, like in Qatar, the banking in Zandvoort, et cetera. It's more about the time you are under load and the continuous load that you have," explained Simone Berra, Pirelli's chief engineer. "So basically instead of two or three seconds, you have 5.5 seconds under those loads. So you have double the duty cycle in that area. That is the main thing to keep in mind and what we are considering in our calculations."
So far, the real-world picture appears to correspond with Pirelli's simulations. "At the moment it's in line with our simulations. Obviously we are still checking all the loads and all the data. We have just checked three or four teams for now, but what we have seen so far is in line with what we expected," Berra said on Friday night. This means there are no safety concerns for the time being, unlike previous situations in Qatar. Pirelli is not planning to impose a maximum stint length or other interventions.
"At the moment there is nothing to be concerned about," Berra confirmed. "Obviously we are still working and need to revise all the data. We will continue even tomorrow because we are sectioning the tyres, so we have to check all the constructions. This procedure is not yet finished. Saturday morning we are going to cut other tyres from FP2 and we are going to cut tyres from FP3 as well, but for now there are no concerns."
Aside from safety, another intriguing question was whether La Monumental can be taken flat-out. Simulations among teams differed considerably. The final corner at Zandvoort is easily flat-out, but in Madrid, the long duration and continuous load make it far more complex. Some teams predicted drivers would need to lift slightly, while others were optimistic about staying flat.
These differences highlight just how new and challenging the Madrid circuit is for everyone. Formula 1 has not had a banked corner of this length and moderate angle in a long time. La Monumental echoes oval characteristics but with the downforce and mechanical grip demands typical of a street circuit. Pirelli must work extra hard to ensure the tyres can withstand the load without compromising performance.
For the drivers, this corner will be a test of courage and precision. If they do need to lift, exit momentum will be crucial for the following straight. Conversely, if someone dares to go flat-out, it could be a major surprise. One thing is certain: Pirelli will keep monitoring data from every session to ensure there are no hidden risks. For now, La Monumental truly deserves its status as F1's toughest corner, at least according to the Italian tyre manufacturer's calculations.
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