Formula 1 pilots and team principals left the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix with a clear message: the brand‑new Madring layout, while thrilling in qualifying, needs tweaks to promote more passing in race conditions. The circuit, a semi‑permanent track that snakes around the IFEMA exhibition centre and sits close to Madrid’s international airport, hosted its first Spanish Grand Prix over the weekend and attracted a packed audience of 352,618 spectators. The 3.36‑mile configuration earned praise for its technical challenge on a single‑lap basis, but many drivers warned that the race itself would suffer from a dearth of overtaking spots.
Lando Norris, who secured the first pole position and was on course for victory before a Virtual Safety Car intervened, was blunt about the changes he would like to see. "There are some obvious changes they should make," he said, describing the circuit as a "great race track" that could become even better with a few adjustments. Norris singled out turns 18 and 19, calling them "useless" and suggesting they be replaced by a longer straight that feeds into a tight hairpin, similar to the approach taken at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. McLaren’s driver argued that a simple redesign could transform the layout from a qualifying showcase into a genuine racing arena.
"I don’t understand how anyone can look at this design and think it’s perfect," Norris remarked. "There’s a lot of opportunity to make it more exciting for the fans and the drivers alike." Race winner Kimi Antonelli echoed the sentiment, noting that while the circuit is enjoyable for a single lap, drivers become "stuck behind other cars" during the race due to limited passing zones. "Some corners need to be re‑shaped to create more overtaking opportunities," he explained.
Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who also serves as an ambassador for the event, posted on X that the track is "great" but requires work to improve passing, adding that the overall weekend was a success for a debut race. Team leaders shared the optimism.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the inaugural event as possibly "the best temporary circuit" he has witnessed, comparing it to a "mini Macau or a mini Monaco" because of its demanding nature and prime location. He confirmed that organisers are already in talks with the FIA about potential modifications for next year. Wolff stressed that the venue offers unique possibilities for fan engagement, saying, "We have the space for little events and presentations that are rare in Formula 1." Former driver and Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle suggested that the circuit could benefit from a few strategic changes to generate one or two additional overtaking zones. He pointed to successful examples from other tracks, such as the final sector of Istanbul Park, Turn 6 at Hockenheim, and certain sections of Silverstone, emphasizing that effective overtaking often results from a combination of corner geometry and straight‑line speed rather than a simple chicane‑plus‑long‑straight formula.
Red Bull’s team principal Laurent Mekies was equally enthusiastic about the venue but highlighted overtaking as the sole shortfall. "It’s an incredible event and a fantastic driver‑focused track," Mekies said, noting the high‑speed corners and the close proximity of the walls. He added, "Even with the space we have, I think we can address the overtaking issue without compromising the character of the circuit." Norris elaborated on his ideas, proposing a wider entry for the section between turns 17 and 20, reminiscent of the expansive Turn 1 at Austin, and a larger hairpin to encourage braking battles.
He also mentioned that turns 5, 6, and 7 might need more substantial re‑working, acknowledging that some changes could be more complex than others. "If we can eliminate the need to turn and brake in a way that defeats the purpose of racing, the event will become far more exciting for everyone," he concluded. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, speaking after Saturday’s qualifying, agreed that the track design has room for improvement. He urged greater driver input in future layout decisions, arguing that there is always a way to create overtaking opportunities, even on seemingly constrained circuits.
Verstappen also praised the organisational side of the event, commending the rapid release of simulator data and the overall professionalism of the organisers. Overall, the consensus among drivers, team principals, and commentators is that Madring has a solid foundation but requires targeted modifications to unlock its full racing potential.
With the FIA already engaged in discussions and the circuit owners expressing openness to change, the outlook for next year’s Spanish Grand Prix looks promising. If the suggested alterations—such as removing or re‑profiling turns 18 and 19, widening key entry points, and adding a more pronounced hairpin—are implemented, Madrid could quickly become a staple on the Formula 1 calendar, offering both a demanding technical challenge and abundant on‑track action for fans worldwide.