There will be changes at Madring by 2027: “If you give me the circuit plan, I will be in charge of fixing it”

The premiere of Madring It leaves two very contrasting sensations, but the overwhelming certainty of the enormous potential that the project has, also in sports.

On the one hand, everyone in the paddock has highlighted the resounding success in the organization, logistics and the different atmosphere that was experienced this weekend in an event with its own character. Above all, if we take into account that a few months ago there were people in the Great Circus who were wondering if the circuit would arrive in time for the dispute of the Grand Prize.

Not only has the layout done it, without safety or other procedural problems. If not, what was most surprising is how well prepared the paddock, the hospitality buildings, and the vast majority of spaces were presented. All this, together with the brilliant work of all the staff.

Yes, being the release year, there are things that will have to be polished. Work remains to be completed in certain areas and many points need to be improved, such as the visibility of some locations and other issues so that everything is exceptional. But in the paddock, everyone agrees that it is the Grand Prix that has arrived the best prepared for its premiere compared to those that debuted in previous seasons. It’s a great starting point.

But on the other hand, there is the sports car. In recent weeks, drivers and team managers kept repeating how crazy this event would be. due to the technical complexity of its curves, many of them blind, and how close the walls are. A challenge for everyone. Chaos was expected, an unpredictable festival of safety cars and red flags.

But in the end, there was none in qualifying or in the race. Something similar to what happened with Baku the first year, although later, the Azerbaijan track was the protagonist of crazy races in later editions.

Everyone also believed that tire degradation would be enormous in Madring. Toto Wolff (Mercedes) even said on Friday that if the race had been held that day, it would have had six stops. But on Sunday, the degradation was low and the winning strategy was a single pit stop.

“Since the graining didn’t show up, that’s what we ended up having. If we had had a race on Friday, it would have been a lot better,” he said. Ocon about it. “I was about to fall asleep”said Bortoleto after the race. On Sunday there was a lack of emotion and tension, attacks and defenses. For one main reason: it was almost impossible to overtake.

But in this sense, a capital appreciation must be made. If changes could not be applied to the track, perhaps it would be a problem and a matter of debate. But in this case, the track is the first that has always been open from the beginning to listening to the drivers and finding a way to improve year after year.

Sainz talks about possible changes to the layout

And in this case, Carlos Sainz was very clear about this: Together they will look for a way that, by applying the changes that are possible and necessary, working together with the FIA ​​and the promoter, in 2027 Madring must welcome F1 again with a circuit design that does allow overtaking.

“The only problem we have is that there is no overtaking point and now that is why “The drivers, the FIA ​​and the circuit will try to work to find an overtaking point for the circuit.”commented the Madrid native.

“In the ideal world, I think we would have to try to find something in turn five. And if it’s not in turn five, we have to see something in turn one. And if it’s not in turn one, we have to see something in turn thirteen, but it’s clear that Turn five is the place where there are more options after a long straight where there may be overtaking.”said Carlos, who has been warning for weeks that it was necessary to have an open mind before and after the race to help Madring and the FIA ​​apply the necessary adjustments to improve.

“It is something that, I insist: I have not yet discussed it with the circuit or with the FIA ​​and it is something that the drivers will now give feedback and we will try to find a solution,” he concluded.

Verstappen believes Madring has potential

“I still have to find a corner where I can overtake”Verstappen said on Saturday after qualifying, making it clear that, however, unlike other tracks where the necessary changes would be difficult to make, Madring has a good foundation to become a circuit with better racing.

“What can be improved? Almost all the braking zones. If you give me the circuit plan, I’ll take care of fixing it. You can always ask me. At the end of the day, a driver knows very well what is needed or what a good curve should be like,” he argued, making it clear that “regarding the braking zones, they have to learn that it is not necessary to turn the steering wheel and in turn brake. That does not allow any type of overtaking.”

“If maybe they could modify the circuit in some places, I could enjoy it. What they’ve done, the way they’ve built everything, I think they’ve done really well. “I have never been a big fan of street circuits (Madring is a hybrid), but there are worse ones on the calendar.”he added.

“I don’t know how anyone looked at this track design and said, ‘Perfect!'” said Norris, angry at being hit by bad luck with a virtual safety car that took away his victory.

“I guess the small frustration in the design is simply the lack of clear overtaking opportunities”said Russel at the beginning of his reflection. “On all circuits, at the end of a long straight you need a clear opportunity to overtake, and the longest straight here leads into that narrow section of the roundabout. So that’s probably the only thing we’d like to be different,” said the Briton.

For his part, Lando was more specific: “They should eliminate turns 18 and 19: they are useless.” For Lando, the solution would be to locate a straight between the current curves 17 and 20 so that a stronger braking point could be achieved and that would give overtaking options to the drivers. “I would make a big hairpin. You would create much better opportunities for everyone and you would be able to enjoy the race. There are some simple changes to make and maybe some more complicated ones, like turns 5, 6 and 7“he noted.