Formula 1 pilots and team leaders left the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix with a clear message: the new Madring layout offers a thrilling challenge in qualifying, but it needs tweaks to promote more passing during the race. The semi‑permanent, wall‑lined circuit, which hosted its first Spanish Grand Prix over the weekend, measured 3.36 miles and impressed many with its high‑speed character. However, drivers warned that the track’s current configuration limits overtaking opportunities, a concern that was reflected in the race itself. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who secured pole position and might have taken the victory 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,” he said, describing the circuit as a "great race track" that could become even better with a few adjustments. Norris suggested removing Turns 18 and 19, labeling them "useless," and replacing them with a longer straight that feeds into a tighter hairpin, similar to the approach used at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. He added, “I don’t understand how anyone could look at this design and think it’s perfect.
There’s a lot of room for improvement.” Race winner Kimi Antonelli echoed the sentiment, noting that while a single lap around the circuit is enjoyable, the race felt "stuck behind other cars" because of the lack of clear passing zones. "Some corners need to be re‑shaped to create more overtaking chances," he explained. Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who also serves as an ambassador for the Grand Prix, posted on X that the track is "great" but "needs work to create better passing," praising the overall event despite its debut status.
The inaugural weekend attracted a sold‑out crowd of 352,618 spectators, underscoring the venue’s popularity. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was impressed with the overall package and confirmed that organizers are already in dialogue with the FIA about potential improvements. "For a first event, it’s probably one of the best I’ve seen," Wolff said, describing the circuit as a "mini‑Macau or mini‑Monaco" that offers a real driver challenge.
He highlighted the unique space available around the venue, which could be leveraged for additional fan experiences and, importantly, for track modifications that enhance overtaking. Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle suggested that the circuit could learn from other tracks known for producing decisive passes, such as the final sector of Istanbul Park, Turn Six at Hockenheim, and the classic overtaking zones at Silverstone. "It’s not just about a chicane into a long straight; it’s a combination of corner geometry and straight‑line speed that creates the best passing moments," Brundle explained.
He also noted that the circuit’s management is open to suggestions and is already consulting with the FIA on how to reshape the layout for better race‑craft. Red Bull’s team principal Laurent Mekies praised the venue’s infrastructure, describing the event as "incredible" and the paddock as "massive." However, he also identified overtaking as the sole shortfall, believing that the existing space around the circuit should allow for design tweaks that increase passing opportunities.
"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 additional concrete ideas, proposing a wider entry to Turn 17‑20, akin to Austin’s Turn 1 or Turn 10, which would create a bigger hairpin and open up a longer straight for drafting.
He also mentioned the possibility of re‑configuring Turns 5, 6, and 7, though he acknowledged that some changes would be more complex than others. "The fact you have to turn and brake defeats the whole object of racing," he argued. "Simple changes could make a huge difference for the excitement of the race." Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, speaking after Saturday’s qualifying, agreed that the circuit’s design could be refined. "There’s always a way to find an overtaking opportunity around a track," he said, urging organisers to incorporate driver feedback into future layouts.
Verstappen also complimented the rapid availability of track data for simulators, which helped teams prepare efficiently. Overall, the consensus among drivers, team principals, and commentators is that while Madring offers a compelling challenge for qualifying laps, it requires thoughtful re‑engineering to become a true racing spectacle.
The venue’s proximity to Madrid’s IFEMA exhibition centre and the international airport, combined with the ample space surrounding the circuit, provides a solid foundation for such upgrades. Organisers appear receptive, having already engaged with the FIA and expressed a willingness to experiment with modifications for the 2025 season. As the F1 calendar moves forward, the next step will be to translate these suggestions into concrete design changes that balance driver safety, spectator excitement, and the logistical realities of a temporary street‑style circuit. If successful, Madring could evolve from a promising debut into a staple of the Formula 1 schedule, offering both a technical test for drivers and a thrilling overtaking playground for fans.