Formula 1 competitors and team principals left the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix with a clear message: the newly built Madring circuit offers an exciting challenge, but it needs tweaks to promote more passing on race day. The semi‑permanent layout, which snakes around the IFEMA exhibition centre and sits close to the city’s international airport, hosted its first event over the weekend, drawing a packed crowd of 352,618 spectators. While the 3.36‑mile (5.4‑km) track earned praise for delivering a blistering qualifying lap, many drivers voiced concerns that the race itself lacked genuine overtaking opportunities.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, who secured the first pole position and likely would 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 to turn this into a great race track," Norris said.
He suggested eliminating Turns 18 and 19, describing them as "useless," and replacing the section with a longer straight that leads into a tight hairpin, similar to the layout at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. "I don’t understand how anyone can look at this design and call it perfect," he added, emphasizing the need for more overtaking zones. Race winner Kimi Antonelli echoed the sentiment, noting that while the circuit is "nice over one lap," drivers are forced to sit behind other cars for much of the race. "Some corners need to be re‑shaped to create more passing chances," he explained.
Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who also serves as an ambassador for the event, posted on X that the track is great but "some work needs to be done to create better passing," praising the overall success of the first year. Team principals were equally enthusiastic about the venue’s potential but acknowledged the overtaking issue.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff called the inaugural weekend "one of the best" he has seen for a temporary circuit, likening it to a miniature version of Macau or Monaco. He confirmed that organisers are already in talks with the FIA about possible layout modifications for next year. "They’ve built something challenging for the drivers, and the location is superb," Wolff said, adding that the circuit’s spacious paddock and garage areas could allow for additional fan events and presentations. Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle predicted that the organisers would fine‑tune the circuit to add one or two more overtaking spots.
He pointed to successful overtaking zones at other tracks – the final sector of Istanbul Park, Turn 6 at Hockenheim, and the classic overtaking strip at Silverstone – as examples of how a combination of corner geometry and straight‑away length can generate passing chances without relying solely on a chicane‑to‑straight layout. Brundle also highlighted the unique opportunity the Madrid venue offers in terms of space, saying, "We are thinking about how much more we can do next year in terms of little events here, because we have the space and that's very rare in Formula 1." Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies shared a similarly positive view, describing the event as "incredible" and the track as a "driver’s track" with appealing corner speeds.
However, he admitted that overtaking was the only notable shortfall. "I’m not a track designer, but I think there is a common desire to improve the main aspect that remains – overtaking," Mekies said, suggesting that the existing footprint should allow for adjustments. Norris expanded on his earlier suggestions, proposing a wider entry to Turn 17‑20, akin to Austin’s Turn 1 or Turn 10, which would create a substantial hairpin and open up a longer straight for drafting.
He also mentioned the possibility of re‑configuring Turns 5‑7, though he acknowledged that determining the optimal solution would require careful analysis. "The fact you have to turn and brake basically defeats the whole object of racing," he argued, urging the circuit designers to consider both simple and more complex changes. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, speaking after Saturday’s qualifying, agreed that the layout could be improved.
"In terms of track design, I think it can be better," Verstappen said, adding that driver input should play a larger role in future revisions. He dismissed the excuse of limited space, insisting that "there’s always a way to find an overtaking opportunity around a track." Verstappen also praised the rapid provision of simulator data, which helped teams prepare effectively for the new venue.
Overall, the consensus among drivers, team chiefs, and commentators is that Madring has a solid foundation but requires targeted modifications to become a truly exciting racing venue. The primary focus is on re‑shaping or removing specific corners—particularly the low‑speed, low‑overtaking sections around Turns 18‑19 and possibly Turns 5‑7—to create longer straights and more pronounced braking zones. Such changes would encourage slip‑stream battles and give drivers more strategic options during the race. Looking ahead, the organisers appear receptive.
Wolff reported that the circuit’s CEO has already engaged in discussions with the FIA and is open to suggestions. Brundle noted that the venue’s generous space could accommodate both track tweaks and additional fan experiences, potentially turning the Madrid Grand Prix into a marquee event on the F1 calendar. In summary, the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix delivered a thrilling qualifying spectacle and a well‑attended race, but the lack of overtaking has prompted a chorus of calls for improvement.
With input from the sport’s top drivers and team leaders, and with the flexibility offered by a temporary circuit, the likelihood of meaningful changes for the 2025 season looks high. If the suggested adjustments are implemented—wider straights, re‑designed hairpins, and perhaps a new overtaking zone—the Madring could evolve from a promising debutante into a staple venue that offers both driver satisfaction and fan excitement.