Motorsport legend helps choose 'Monumental' target ahead of new F1 GP

Motorsport legend Carlos Sainz has played a leading role in choosing the design of a major target every driver will strive for when Madrid returns to the F1 stage later this year.

For this season, the Spanish Grand Prix has a new home at the Madring, a 5.4-kilometre, 22-turn ‘hybrid’ venue, which utilises a mix of permanent circuit and the public roads around the IFEMA Madrid complex.

It will be the first time in 45 years that Madrid will host a grand prix since the race was staged at Jarama, a track 20 miles north of the city.

As part of the build-up to the race, the organisers held a competition to select the design for the winners’ trophy, with the winner announced at a special event on Thursday evening at the Palacio de Cibeles, Madrid City Hall.

Following several hours of discussion by a jury that included two-time World Rally champion Carlos Sainz, three finalists were chosen - Madrid-based artist Sandra Val, global Italian design team Pininfarina Studio, and Sustain Awards gallery director Laura Atalaya. 

Pininfarina Studio's piece, 'Monumental', a reference to the 24% banked “La Monumental” Turn 12, was chosen.

Reflecting on the decision of the jury, Sainz said: "Having a company like Pininfarina design the trophy for the Spanish Grand Prix demonstrates the magnitude of this project.

"The ‘Monumental’ trophy will not merely be an object; it will be the symbol lifted by the winner of the 2026 race, speaking not only of the most iconic corner of Madring, but also of the way victory is understood in our city.

"That is why it needed to live up to both Madrid and Formula 1, and I believe this trophy more than delivers."

See an image below of the winning design.