"I almost fell asleep" — Drivers slam Madring debut after processional Spanish GP

The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix delivered a spectacular setting at the new Madring circuit, but the racing failed to match the hype. Drivers were largely united in their criticism of the track layout after a processional race, with a lack of overtaking opportunities and safety concerns dominating the post-race conversation.

Why it matters:

The Madring is part of F1's new wave of hybrid circuits, blending permanent track with public roads. Driver feedback — and any redesign — could shape whether Madrid becomes a fan favourite or a recurring gripe, while influencing the FIA's approach to future street circuits.

The details:

• A dull affair: Gabriel Bortoleto admitted he "almost fell asleep" during the race, while Esteban Ocon blamed a lack of tyre degradation: "It was like 120% from as soon as you pitted to the end."
• Layout criticism: Lando Norris was blunt: "They should get rid of [Turns] 18-19 — useless." He suggested a straight run from Turn 17 to 20 with a wider hairpin entry, similar to Austin's Turn 1, to create better passing opportunities.
• Safety concerns: Carlos Sainz highlighted blind esses taken at 260-270km/h, comparing them to Jeddah and Baku. "It's poor," he said, adding the FIA seems "happy to go in this direction" despite drivers pushing for safety improvements.
• La Monumental deflated: Fernando Alonso joked his Aston Martin press officer could take the banked corner flat out, adding that "the driver input is just nothing" with this generation of cars.
• Chicane issues: Alex Albon called the Turn 5-6 chicane the corner that "needs the most work," pointing to chaos it caused in F2 and F3 races.

What's next:

Changes are already being discussed for next year's race, with George Russell highlighting the fundamental issue: the longest straight leads into a tight roundabout, limiting overtaking. As Max Verstappen noted, street circuits will never match the appeal of tracks like Spa — but the focus now is on making the Madring less of a procession.