Sebastian Vettel's RB8, fitted with train wheels, has already passed through several stations of the Madrid Metro. The single-seater will race this weekend in the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at Madring.
The Formula 1 cars have arrived in Madrid and have chosen an unusual route: the Metro. The iconic RB8 with which Sebastian Vettel won his third World Championship in 2012 has been adapted to run on the subway tracks, as reported by Antena 3.
A team of engineers and mechanics specialised in Formula 1 worked against the clock to make this movement possible. The project was divided into four phases: wheel design, weight reduction, prototype testing, and the final run.
The first obstacle was the weight of the initially designed wheels, which were 50 kilos heavier than those of the car, putting the suspension at risk. After studying the shock absorbers, lighter rims were manufactured so that the driver could move safely.
The tests were conducted at the Canillejas workshops, on unused tracks. Once it was confirmed that the wheels fit perfectly, the RB8's engine was started and the single-seater traveled through several Metro stations taking advantage of the night halt.
The spectacle on the tracks connects the centre of the capital with Madring, the circuit that debuts this weekend with the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. The layout, located next to the Ifema exhibition centre, will host the first Formula 1 race in the Community of Madrid in over four decades.
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