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Organizers of the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid are prepared to make adjustments to the "Madring" circuit to enhance overtaking opportunities, having already received recommendations from the FIA.
The 5.4 km track, situated around the IFEMA exhibition center, debuted last weekend and garnered praise from drivers and teams for its facilities and challenging layout. While the intricate mix of medium and high-speed corners led to a thrilling qualifying session, the scarcity of clear overtaking spots resulted in a rather uneventful race throughout the weekend.
The primary overtaking zone was intended to be the chicane at Turn 5, following the track's longest straight. However, the awkward design of the corner made maneuvers difficult. During the drivers' briefing on Friday evening, competitors expressed particular frustration with the number of combined corner entries, where cars must brake and turn simultaneously, making it easier to defend positions. They also felt the pit lane was excessively long, discouraging teams from attempting varied pit stop strategies.
In an exclusive statement to motorsport.com after Sunday's race, event managing director Luis Garcia Abad confirmed that his team is ready to implement the necessary changes to improve the on-track spectacle. He also mentioned that they have already received recommendations from the FIA for next year's race.
"To be honest, the FIA clearly outlined how to improve the track configuration, and we are open to it because we will need to reinstall the circuit for next year," Abad stated. "I truly believe the drivers thoroughly enjoyed qualifying. But we will certainly strive for improvements next year. We have the space, the location, the facilities, and the capacity to make it happen. I am confident that FOM, the FIA, and we will try. If we can improve something, we will," Abad added.
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