Potential changes to the regulations from the Madrid F1 track may be in the near future following a strong message from drivers during the inaugural Spanish Spanish World Cup at the new Madring circuit. The track showcased some fun to see in the qualifying session, but was even more undromantical with relatively few wave lengths in the race, frustrating a group of riders.

Almost from the start the problem was obvious. In several areas cars could follow one another, it was really hard to get around. Running cars in a vulnerable position might make them vulnerable to attacks from opposing drivers and some corners didn’t provide much space for the cars to be side by side.

Prior to the race, top race organising official, Max Verstappen, predicted the issue. After taking the time to review the plan, the Red Bull driver reported there was no true opportunity for him to overtake. His remarks came true as the race became a challenging afternoon for drivers seeking to catch up.

After the race Gabriel Bortoleto declared that he nearly dozed while behind the helm. Roughly the amount of activity that could be seen on the road was not much.

Race winner Kimi Antonelli also had a better lap over the course than he did during his race at the Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver explained that the track wasn’t aggressively set up for attacking as trying to dig a hole into another car meant they could easily mix it up.

Antonelli (to the second chicane) was an example. He said that, had he taken the corner at the same time as Lando Norris, “the two cars could get in touch and they could have ended up in the wall. He sees the circuit requiring improvements that will offer more competition for drivers, rather than just that improvement.He doesn’t want just an improvement in the circuit, more opportunities that will allow drivers to run against one another.

But the worries were not limited to the drivers who came home first. Problems with the layout had been voiced by Oliver Bearman early in the third practice session before the race as he engaged in a serious collision.

Bearman noted it was an interesting circuit to drive on, but was not long enough for racing. He cited the long combined exits as where one sees people not being able to put power down onto the track but also corners where they aren’t giving the attacking car the right space to get around.

In fact, the FIA had heard the drivers concerns on the weekend before, and the Haas driver said it was recommended that the circuit should be looked at prior to the next edition.

Albon also feels that it is possible to change the Madring but not make a complete change to it. The Williams driver stated only a few crucial modifications will be necessary to enhance the racing.

The major recommendation he has is to change the section from Turns 3 to 5. Albon felt that the track might have benefited from some straightening of just the braking areas and offers the option of pulling the chicane. He feels that the section will be a complaint of the race goers, but not the drivers.

He also called for banking at Turn 13. The banking is not only impressive, but the corner could be made slower and more of a braking area, Albon thinks. That might provide another opportunity to attack for drivers.

Bortoleto had other apprehensions with Turn 5. Over the whole race this bump resulted in discomfort of the driver in that area. As the cars went around and around the area was becoming tiresome and causing headaches.

Perhaps the most significant change was by Lando Norris. The McLaren driver feels that these two corners should be dropped in favor of a longer straight-away and a much slower hairpin on Turns 18 and 19.

Norris likened the concept to the Circuit of the Americas with wide braking lanes that provide drivers with more opportunity to mount an attack. There could be better opportunities for overtaking (and larger slipstreaming effects) if those straights were extended and included a large hairpin turn.

The drivers are also considering the use of a shorter pit lane. It may make more teams dive back to try more pitstops as well as adding more strategy to the race. The availability of more pit stop options could result in more approaches as well as providing a new fuel action.

No this is not to imply the Madring is a poor circuit in general, but merely that certain pieces were criticised. Several drivers have commented, “It’s fun to drive – especially qualifying. Fast sections, the technical corners and difficult layout may result in a good test over one lap.

There is a problem, though, since the attributes that make for a good competitor in the arena are not what make for a good competitor on the wheel.

Last but not least, the message from the drivers is clear: The Madrid F1 circuit was never thinking of discarding the entirety of the track and requiring a complete overhaul, but specific parts of the circuit should be rethought in advance of 2027. Modifications to the braking areas, the chicanes and sector three may make all the difference now.

The Spanish GP has thus provided the circuit designers with much food for thought. With the suggested changes to the Madring the strong qualifying qualities could remain intact but the Madring could be much more of a thrilling race than it currently is. That will be vital for Formula 1, if the Spanish capital is going to be a successful, sustained fixture in the calendar.