Formula 1 drivers and team principals left the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix with a clear message: the new Madring layout, while thrilling in qualifying, needs tweaks to promote more passing during the race. 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, drawing a packed crowd of 352,618 spectators. Although the 3.36‑mile (5.41‑km) configuration earned praise for delivering a fast, technically demanding qualifying lap, many competitors voiced concerns that the race itself offered limited overtaking opportunities – a sentiment that was borne out by the on‑track action.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, who secured the inaugural pole position 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 to turn this into a great race track,” he said.
Norris suggested removing Turns 18 and 19, describing them as “useless,” and replacing that section with a longer straight that leads into a tighter hairpin, akin to the layout of Austin’s Circuit of the Americas Turn 1. He added, “I don’t understand how anyone can 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 passing zones. "Some corners need to be re‑profiled to create more overtaking chances," he explained.
Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who also serves as an ambassador for the Grand Prix, posted on X: "The track is great. Some work is needed to improve passing, but overall it was a fantastic first‑year race." His comment summed up the general optimism that the venue has a solid foundation but requires fine‑tuning. Team bosses were equally hopeful.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the event as possibly “the best temporary circuit I’ve seen so far.” He praised the circuit’s challenging nature, likening it to a miniature version of Macau or Monaco, and highlighted the excellent location. Wolff added that discussions with the FIA are already underway to explore how the layout could be adjusted for next season. Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle predicted that “they will make some tweaks for next year to create one or two more overtaking places.” 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‑line sections can generate passing chances without relying solely on a chicane‑to‑straight design.
Brundle also mentioned the unique space available around the Madrid venue, suggesting that the organizers could host additional fan events or presentations while they work on the track’s evolution. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies was equally enthusiastic about the facility, calling the inaugural weekend “an incredible event” with a massive paddock and garage area.
However, he identified overtaking as the primary shortfall. “I’m not a track designer, but I think there’s a common desire to improve the only aspect that remains a challenge – the overtaking opportunity,” Mekies said.
Norris offered further concrete ideas, proposing a wider entry into Turn 20 similar to Austin’s Turn 10, and suggesting that a broader straight from Turn 17 to Turn 20 could open up a “big hairpin” that would increase passing chances. He also mentioned the possibility of re‑configuring the complex of Turns 5, 6, and 7, though he admitted the optimal solution would need careful analysis.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, speaking after Saturday’s qualifying, agreed that the track design could be refined. “There’s always a way to find an overtaking opportunity around a circuit,” he asserted, urging that driver input be taken into account for future modifications. Verstappen also complimented the organization’s rapid provision of simulator data, which helped teams prepare efficiently for the new layout.
Overall, the consensus among drivers, team principals, and commentators is that the Madring circuit possesses a solid base – it challenges drivers, offers exciting qualifying laps, and has the logistical advantages of a temporary venue near a major city. The next step, however, is to translate that excitement into more dynamic racing by re‑shaping certain corners, extending straights, and perhaps widening key sections to create viable braking zones for overtaking. As the FIA, circuit officials, and F1 stakeholders continue their dialogue, fans can look forward to a more overtaking‑friendly Madrid Grand Prix in the coming years, turning the already impressive venue into a true highlight of the Formula 1 calendar.