The Madring Preview
The impeccable organization of the weekend of the new Spanish GP at the Madring clashes with the reality of a track that drivers consider partly challenging, but not fully convincing. On social networks, it is not difficult to come across comments from fans and enthusiasts wondering how it was possible to design such a technical and tricky circuit but without a clear overtaking point. And indeed, the drivers seem quite resigned to the idea of a procession-race, with cars in a train for all 57 laps of the GP and the cards to change position only in the hands of strategists at the pit wall. An issue that Max Verstappen addressed during the top-3 press conference after the – beautiful – Saturday qualifying.
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Max Verstappen’s Comment
When asked specifically what was the best thing about the Madrid street circuit, Verstappen showed appreciation mainly for the asphalt grip: “I like the grip, they did a good job with the asphalt, even if in some spots there are already too many bumps for a new track. The corners do not allow overtaking and so they should learn (those who designed the circuit, ed) that in the braking zones you should never have to steer, because this does not allow any attacking maneuver. So, definitely, in terms of track design, I think it can be improved. And I also think that in the future the contribution of the drivers can help a lot, even if often they then answer that there is no space, but that’s just nonsense. There is always a way to find an overtaking opportunity on a circuit”.
Even the now famous Monumental corner does not seem to fully convince, not so much for the corner itself but for the almost zero level of challenge faced by the drivers: “My Monumental experience in qualifying? Well, I wanted to take it flat out but my battery ran out so I had to ease off a bit to recharge. The banking is nice, but I think they should have made it the other way around, with a bit more inclination at the start and then flattening out towards the exit. And then, on an F1 car you have a lot of downforce, so I think it is more challenging to tackle it in other categories, where it didn’t seem so easy to take it flat out. But I guess from the outside shots it looks fantastic”.
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The Excellent Organization of the Spanish GP
“Overall, the event itself is really fantastic – he adds – and the organizers did a great job. Also regarding the speed with which, I believe, they prepared the circuit but also shared the information for the simulator. So, from this point of view, I think it went very well. But if you want better races and more spectacular overtakes, I think there are some corners that could be modified”. An opinion, that of Max Verstappen, also shared by poleman Lando Norris: “The track definitely has great potential, but some things need to be improved. For example, also the pit lane, which is six kilometers long…”.
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