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Ferrari's 'Filming Day': Technically Legal, Ethically… Convenient
While the rest of the F1 grid is still dreaming of the new Madrid circuit, Ferrari already gets to 'film' on the brand-new track. Coincidence? Of course not!
By Kritische Hans van den Broekma - 2026-07-07T11:15:40.000Z - 2 min read
Ah, the genius minds at Ferrari are at it again. Before the first official race car has even turned a wheel on the brand-new Madrid Formula 1 circuit, Charles Leclerc and fresh signee Lewis Hamilton are already lined up to take the SF-26 out for a 'filming day'. A 'filming day', ladies and gentlemen, you heard that right. And on a circuit that won't even make its debut as the home of the Spanish Grand Prix until September. What extraordinary timing for a bit of promotional material, wouldn't you say?
This swift Italian maneuver falls, very conveniently, under the banner of a 'promotional event'. You know the score: one of those days where you ostensibly show off your car for the cameras, but secretly get to rack up 200 kilometers using your current car and special tires. Ferrari has already used one such day at Monza this year, making this their second and final chance to—oh, how terrible—'accidentally' gather crucial data. Pure coincidence, of course.
Now, a cynic might argue that such a 'brief outing with the current car' is hugely valuable. Think real-world data on track layout and tarmac, even at lower speeds. After all, grip levels are known to have a massive impact on energy management, not to mention the La Monumental banked corner. That unique curve, potentially critical for car setup and ride height, will undoubtedly be captured on camera in meticulous detail. Or, well, measured. Or something like that.
The beauty of it is that F1 regulations are usually quite strict regarding testing on new or heavily modified tracks. The 'Testing of Previous Cars' (TPC) rules exist precisely to stop teams from gaining an 'unfair advantage' by collecting data prior to a race weekend. In fact, these rules forbid TPC runs on circuits that did not host an F1 event the previous year. But alas, a 'promotional event' comes with its own delightfully flexible set of rules. Why make things difficult when you can make them easy?
So, while the competition remains glued to their simulators, Ferrari gets an early taste of Madrid's asphalt future. A masterstroke, you have to hand it to them. Technically legal, strictly within the rulebook, but the cynic in me can't help thinking the spirit of the law is being interpreted rather creatively here. But hey, that's Formula 1 for you, isn't it? The smartest—or boldest—takes the prize, even if it won't be handed out until September.