Madring circuit to be redesigned after action-starved Spanish GP debut draws F1 criticism

Spanish Grand Prix organisers have committed to redesigning sections of the Madring circuit in Madrid after its Formula 1 debut last weekend drew widespread criticism for a lack of overtaking opportunities. Managing director Luis Garcia Abad confirmed the event team has already received formal recommendations from the FIA and is open to making significant layout changes before the 2027 race.

The 5.4km circuit around Madrid’s IFEMA fairgrounds was broadly praised for its facilities and the technical challenge it posed in qualifying, but the race itself — along with the supporting F2 and F3 rounds — was largely processional. Drivers identified two primary problems: a series of combined corner entries, where cars must brake and steer simultaneously, which made it straightforward for the leading car to defend its position; and a pitlane deemed too long to encourage teams to pursue alternative strategy calls.

The Turn 5 chicane, positioned at the end of the circuit’s longest straight and intended as the main overtaking point, proved particularly problematic due to its awkward design. Drivers raised their concerns formally during Friday’s drivers’ briefing.

“Being honest with you, the FIA defined clearly which is the way to improve the track layout, and we will be open because we will have to reinstall the track for the next year,” Abad told Autosport. “I really believe that the drivers enjoyed qualifying a lot. But for sure we will try to make an improvement for next year.”

Abad also pointed to the circuit’s geography as an advantage when it comes to making changes. With the northern half of the layout built from scratch on open land, he said there is genuine scope for meaningful modifications. “We have the space, we have a venue, we have the facilities, we have the capacity to do it. If we can improve something, we will do it.”

World champion Lando Norris was direct in his assessment after the race, calling for a straighter run from Turn 17 to Turn 20 and a wider, hairpin-style entry similar to those at the Circuit of the Americas. “To me, it’s not a great race track. It’s great in qualifying, but a straight line from Turn 17 straight to Turn 20 would help — to have a much wider entry like Austin Turn 1 or Turn 10, a big hairpin. You’ll create much better opportunities for everyone and you’ll be able to enjoy the race.”

Norris acknowledged that some fixes would be simpler than others, singling out the Turn 5-7 complex as a trickier problem to solve. The Madrid race is the first of a 10-year contract on the Formula 1 calendar.