There was no doubt about the success that the return of the Grand Circus to Madrid, 45 years later, would mean in recreational and festive terms. Reservations were more focused on what kind of racing a street circuit like Madring would offer, visually very striking due to the environment that the Ifema area would provide. With the Grand Prix already in the rearview mirror, the general feeling is that both premises were confirmed, and that the organization passed with high marks in the eyes of the majority of the 350,000 people who attended from Friday, the day of free practice sessions, until Sunday, race day. Like any debut, the setup also left homework for next year’s edition. In sports terms, an aspect that has recently been losing ground compared to the more showbiz side, most of the complaints were directed at the predictable lack of overtaking offered by the race, a phenomenon amplified by the little degradation the tires showed on Sunday. The most notable attacks were Liam Lawson on Franco Colapinto, and George Russell on the New Zealander from Red Bull. Aware of the spotlight the criticisms would have coming from the drivers, the event organization has moved quickly, to the point of already working on a plan to increase offensive maneuvers with a view to 2027.
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“The FIA clearly defined how the layout should be improved. We will do it when we set up the circuit next year,” acknowledges Luis García Abad, general director of the Spanish Grand Prix, in statements collected by Motorsport.com. “We have space, we have the venue, the facilities, and the capacity to do it. I am sure that FOM (the promoter), the FIA, and ourselves will try. If we can improve something, we will,” added the former agent of Fernando Alonso.
Apart from the commotion in the first two corners, where Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen skipped the first two chicanes and had to give back the positions gained, the procession of cars weaving through the corridor embraced by walls will hardly attract more followers. The lack of action is acceptable on circuits like Monaco, which has been on the calendar since the championship’s inception (1950), but it is less understandable on a new-generation layout, designed practically from scratch. Most drivers applauded the integration of such a majestic corner as the Monumental, the icon of the facility, while highlighting the third sector of the layout as the main pending issue for the future.
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“I almost fell asleep,” said Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), one of the harshest with his verdict, along with Lando Norris, the pole sitter who had a victory snatched away by the appearance of the virtual safety car after defending himself in the first braking zone. “I don’t understand how anyone can look at this design and say: I love it!” lamented the McLaren driver, who finished third. “They should remove turns 18 and 19, which serve no purpose. If they did that, there would be a straight between turn 17 and 20, with a much wider entry,” specified the current world champion. “After every long straight, you should try to have a clear overtaking point. But the longest straight here doesn’t allow it,” agreed George Russell, who finished fifth.
Nico Rosberg was in Madrid in his role as commentator for Sky, the broadcaster that offers the World Championship in Great Britain. “Carlos Sainz is the ambassador of this circuit, so the criticism is directed at him. The layout needs to be reviewed and a working overtaking point created,” said the world champion with Mercedes (2016). Despite his role as the main visible face of Madring, Sainz did not hesitate for a second to point out the aspects that need polishing. “Visibility is poor, like in Jeddah or Baku. But, apparently, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) agrees to go in that direction regarding new circuits,” agreed the Williams driver, forced to retire after several contacts, one of them especially spicy with Alonso. “I have always been more in favor of conventional [permanent] circuits because, in street circuits, you can only extract 95% of the car’s potential,” clarified the Asturian.
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