Formula 1 competitors and team principals left the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madrid‑based venue with a clear message: the circuit, while exciting, needs tweaks to promote more passing. The event, staged around the semi‑permanent, wall‑lined Madring layout, attracted a packed crowd of 352,618 spectators and demonstrated the potential of a track that hugs the IFEMA exhibition centre and sits close to the city’s international airport. Yet drivers from the front of the grid voiced concerns that the current configuration limits overtaking, especially once the race settles into its longer phases.
Lando Norris, who secured the first pole position on the brand‑new 3.36‑mile circuit and would likely 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 it into a great race track," the McLaren driver said. He specifically called for the removal of Turns 18 and 19, describing them as "useless" and suggesting that a longer straight feeding into a tighter hairpin would create a genuine overtaking zone. "I don’t understand how anyone can look at that design and think it’s perfect – there’s a lot of opportunity for improvement," Norris added.
Race winner Kimi Antonelli echoed the sentiment, noting that while the lap was "nice" in isolation, the race felt "stuck behind other cars" because of the lack of passing spots. "Some corners need to be re‑shaped to open up overtaking chances," he explained, emphasizing that a more dynamic layout would benefit both drivers and fans. Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who also serves as an ambassador for the Grand Prix, posted on X that the track is "great" but admitted that "some work needs to be done to create better passing".
His comment highlighted a common thread among the paddock: the circuit is enjoyable, but its racing potential is not yet fully realised. Team principals shared similar optimism.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff praised the overall event, calling it possibly "the best temporary circuit" he has seen. He noted that the organisers have already opened discussions with the FIA about potential modifications for next year. "They’ve built something challenging – a mini‑Macau or mini‑Monaco – and the location is superb," Wolff said, adding that the conversation about overtaking zones is ongoing. Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle predicted that the organisers would introduce "one or two more overtaking places" for the following season.
He pointed to successful overtaking sections at other tracks – the final sector in Istanbul, Turn Six at Hockenheim, and the classic overtaking strip at Silverstone – as models for how a combination of corner geometry and straight‑line speed can generate passing opportunities without relying solely on a chicane‑to‑straight layout. Brundle also highlighted the unique space available around the Madrid circuit, suggesting that "little events or presentations" could be added to enhance the fan experience while the track itself is refined.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies was equally enthusiastic about the venue, describing it as "incredible" and praising the massive paddock and garage facilities. However, he identified overtaking as the sole shortfall, noting that the existing space should allow for adjustments.
"I’m not a track designer, but I think there’s a common desire to improve the main aspect that remains – overtaking," Mekies said. Norris offered more concrete suggestions, recommending a wider entry for the straight that runs from Turn 17 to Turn 20, akin to the approach to Turn 1 or Turn 10 at the Austin circuit. He believes such a change would produce a "much better opportunity" for drivers to overtake and make the race more enjoyable for spectators.
He also mentioned that Turns 5, 6, 7 could be re‑examined, acknowledging that some modifications might be simple while others could be more complex. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, speaking after Saturday’s qualifying, agreed that the track design could be improved.
"There’s always a way to find an overtaking opportunity around a track," he asserted, emphasizing that driver input should be considered in future redesigns. Verstappen also complimented the rapid provision of simulator data, which helped teams prepare for the new layout. Overall, the consensus among drivers, team leaders, and commentators is that the Madring circuit has a solid foundation – it challenges drivers in qualifying and offers an attractive setting for a Grand Prix – but it requires targeted changes to unlock its full racing potential. The dialogue between the circuit’s organisers, the FIA, and the teams appears to be constructive, with a clear focus on enhancing overtaking zones while preserving the track’s character.
As the F1 calendar moves forward, fans can look forward to a second edition of the Madrid Grand Prix that not only retains its excitement but also delivers more wheel‑to‑wheel action on race day.