Norris, Verstappen Want Madring Track Changes for Better Overtaking — SkimNews
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- Lando Norris, who claimed pole position at the inaugural Madring Spanish GP, called Turns 18 and 19 "useless" and urged organizers to replace them with a straight into a hairpin, comparing his ideal layout to Austin's Turn 1 or Turn 10.
- Race winner Kimi Antonelli said some corners need to be changed because "you're just stuck behind" other cars, praising the circuit over one lap but flagging the lack of race-day passing.
- Mercedes principal Toto Wolff said the circuit's CEO is "totally open-minded" about changes and already in discussions with the FIA about how the track should be laid out for better overtaking.
- Red Bull principal Laurent Mekies called the venue and event "incredible" but identified "the overtaking opportunity" as the "only shortfall" — one he said should be addressable within the available space.
- Max Verstappen said the track design "can be better" and pushed back on the "there's no space" excuse, arguing driver input on future layouts would help.
- Carlos Sainz, a Spanish driver and Grand Prix ambassador, wrote on X that "the track is great" but that "there needs to be some work done to create better passing."
- The inaugural race weekend drew a sold-out crowd of 352,618 to the semi-permanent, wall-lined 3.36-mile circuit winding around Madrid's IFEMA exhibition centre.
Why it matters: Every voice in the paddock agreed the venue and event atmosphere were a triumph but flagged the same flaw: cars couldn't pass. With organizers already in formal talks with the FIA before the second running, specific driver proposals (Norris's hairpin, Sainz's ambassador channel) have a real shot at reshaping the layout — and Madrid's long-term place on the calendar depends on whether year two fixes the racing.
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