Formula 1 drivers and team principals left the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the newly built Madring circuit with a clear message: the track has potential, but it needs tweaks to promote more passing. The semi‑permanent layout, which snakes around Madrid’s IFEMA exhibition centre and sits close to the city’s international airport, impressed many with its technical challenge on a single lap, yet the race itself highlighted a shortage of genuine overtaking spots. Lando Norris, who secured the first ever pole position at the venue and might have taken the win if not for an untimely Virtual Safety Car, was blunt about the changes he would like to see.
"There are some obvious changes they should make," the McLaren driver said, urging organisers to remove Turns 18 and 19, which he described as "useless," and replace them with a longer straight that leads into a tight hairpin. Norris believes that a simple re‑configuration could turn the circuit from a qualifying showcase into a race‑friendly venue where drivers can attack each other more freely.
"I don’t understand how anyone looks at this design and thinks it’s perfect," he added. "There’s a lot of opportunity for improvement." Race winner Kimi Antonelli echoed the sentiment, noting that while the lap time was enjoyable, the race felt "stuck behind other cars" because of the lack of passing zones.
"Some corners need to be altered to create more overtaking opportunities," he explained, emphasizing that a good lap does not automatically translate into exciting wheel‑to‑wheel action. Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who also serves as an ambassador for the Grand Prix, posted on X that the circuit was "great" but required work to facilitate better passing. His comment summed up the general consensus: the track is a solid foundation, but it needs refinement to become a true racing spectacle, especially in its debut year. The event attracted a sold‑out crowd of 352,618 spectators, underscoring the commercial appeal of the location.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised the overall organisation, calling it "one of the best temporary circuits I've seen" and likening its character to a mini‑Macau or mini‑Monaco. He confirmed that discussions with the FIA are already underway to explore possible layout adjustments for next season. "They’ve built something challenging for the drivers, and the location is excellent," Wolff said. "Now we just need to add a few overtaking zones." Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle offered a broader perspective on how circuits can evolve to produce more passes.
He cited successful examples such as the final sector of Istanbul Park, Turn 6 at Hockenheim, and the classic overtaking spot at Silverstone. Brundle stressed that overtaking is not solely about inserting a chicane before a long straight; it requires a thoughtful combination of corner geometry, braking zones, and track width. "We are looking at how much more we can do next year in terms of little events or presentations, because we have the space – something rare in F1," he explained.
"The tricky part is building a spectacular track for drivers while ensuring plenty of overtaking opportunities." Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies was equally enthusiastic about the venue but highlighted the same shortfall: overtaking. "It was an incredible event, an incredible venue setup, massive paddock and garage area," Mekies said. "The only shortfall is the overtaking opportunity.
I think it can be addressed even with the space we have around the layout. I'm not a track designer, but there’s a common desire to improve that aspect." Norris expanded on his earlier suggestions, proposing a wider entry to Turn 1 – similar to Austin’s Turn 1 or Turn 10 – and a more pronounced hairpin after the straight that runs from Turn 17 to Turn 20. He believes such changes would create "much better opportunities for everyone" and make the race more enjoyable. He also mentioned that more complex alterations might be needed around Turns 5, 6, and 7, but emphasized that even small, easy modifications could have a big impact on the racing spectacle.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, speaking after qualifying, agreed that the track design could be refined. "In terms of track design, I think it can be better," Verstappen said.
He called for greater driver input on future circuit layouts, arguing that there is always a way to carve out overtaking chances, even if space appears limited. Verstappen praised the rapid availability of track data for simulators, noting that the organisers did a great job on the logistical side, but reiterated that a few corner changes could dramatically improve the racing.
Overall, the consensus among drivers, team principals, and commentators is that the Madring circuit has a solid foundation but requires targeted modifications to become a true racing destination. The proposed changes focus on removing or re‑shaping low‑value corners, extending straights, widening key entry points, and adding tighter hairpins that generate heavy braking zones – all classic ingredients for overtaking.
As the FIA, circuit owners, and the Formula 1 commercial team continue their dialogue, the hope is that the next edition of the Spanish Grand Prix will feature a more dynamic layout that rewards bold moves and strategic overtakes. If these adjustments are implemented, Madrid could join the ranks of circuits that not only challenge drivers technically but also deliver thrilling, wheel‑to‑wheel battles that keep fans on the edge of their seats.