Albon airs safety concerns over new Spanish GP's banked Turn 12

Alex Albon has voiced concerns about the safety and raceability of Turn 12 at the new Spanish Grand Prix venue, the Madring, warning that the circuit's signature banked corner could be a flashpoint this weekend.

Why it matters:

The Spanish GP marks the arrival of the 79th different circuit to host a world championship grand prix. With blind entries, low grip, and a narrow track, La Monumental could shape both safety and race strategy in Madrid's debut weekend.

The details:

• La Monumental is a 550m-long corner with around 24 degrees of banking, designed as the standout feature of the new circuit that replaces Barcelona.
• Blind spots: Albon says the track "gives me vibes of Macau," with several blind corners where a stopped car could be hidden from view. He hopes race control stays quick with VSCs and red flags: "Inevitably, there are going to be a few crashes this weekend."
• Low grip: The track was only resurfaced in May, so oils may still be rising to the surface. Albon expects a single racing line to form, warning "if you stray away from that line, then there's no grip."
• Marbles and cool-down laps: He is particularly worried about slow laps on the banking, where there is no safe positioning, and expects marbles to make off-line running treacherous late in the race.
• Limited overtaking: "The track's quite narrow... if you have a little snap, you're into the wall immediately." Albon doubts drivers will risk running a high line, meaning little passing at the corner.
• No defined apex: The continuous corner goes against natural muscle memory. Albon says drivers must "pick an imaginary spot a few hundred metres in front" and rely on repetition to time it.

What's next:

Albon hopes he is proven wrong, but Friday practice will show whether La Monumental delivers the spectacle organisers envisioned — or becomes the main talking point for the wrong reasons.