F1 Drivers Demand Track Changes at Madrid's Madring After Inaugural Race
Key Points
- Lando Norris finished on pole position at the 3.36-mile Madring circuit but said turns 18 and 19 are "useless" and should be removed.
- Race winner Kimi Antonelli stated drivers were "stuck behind" other cars despite the track being "nice over one lap."
- The inaugural event drew a sold-out crowd of 352,618 and is located near Madrid's IFEMA exhibition centre close to the city's international airport.
Organizers Commit to Layout Revisions for 2026
Team principals and race organizers have expressed willingness to implement changes. Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, revealed that organisers were already in discussions with the FIA about modifications for next year. "I had a discussion yesterday with the CEO of the circuit and they are totally open-minded about next year and said 'we've had the discussions with the FIA. What is it we should do? How is it that we should lay the track out when it comes to overtaking?'" Wolff said.
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Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies described the inaugural event as "an incredible event" but identified the single major flaw. "I think the only shortfall is the overtaking opportunity. I'm guessing it is stuff that can be addressed even [with] the space that we have around the track layout," Mekies said.
Norris proposed specific design alternatives to improve racing. "It's great in qualifying, but, you know, straight line from 17 straight to 20, have a much wider entry like Austin Turn 1 or Turn 10 in Austin, big hairpin. You know, you'll create much better opportunities for everyone and you'll be able to enjoy the race," he said, also suggesting turns 5, 6, and 7 may require modification.
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Williams driver Carlos Sainz, who serves as an official ambassador for the Grand Prix, offered a more measured perspective. "The track is great. There needs to be some work done to create better passing, but it's been a great race overall, especially for a first year," Sainz wrote on X.
The contrast between Madring's qualifying performance and race-day action mirrors a pattern seen at other wall-lined street circuits like Monaco, where driver feedback has historically driven infrastructure improvements. For drivers and teams to witness meaningful overtaking opportunities, organizers must implement changes before the 2026 calendar event.
Sources: Sky Sports and other international news outlets.
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