Vowles backs Madrid to become F1 standout despite overtaking concerns

Williams team principal James Vowles has backed Madrid's new Madring circuit to become one of F1's standout events, despite a challenging first Spanish Grand Prix at the venue.

Speaking on his Vowles Verdict podcast, the Williams chief praised the event's organisers and said the first-year race avoided the chaos that often comes with new venues.

Why it matters:

Madrid has replaced Barcelona as the home of the Spanish GP, and new circuits usually face logistical teething problems. Vowles says that wasn't the case here, which bodes well for the race's long-term future. But with overtaking hard to come by, the on-track product needs attention before 2027.

The details:

• Vowles said the event was well organised for a first-year grand prix, with the circuit located half an hour from the city centre and about 10 minutes away by metro.
• He noted the venue has "10 times more space" than teams normally get, allowing more fans to attend but creating long walks between areas.
• Drivers found the track technical and enjoyable, but the racing suffered from a lack of overtaking opportunities.
• Vowles expects organisers to look at changes for next year to improve the spectacle.

For Williams, it was a difficult weekend. Vowles admitted the team has not added performance to the car for far too long and has fallen back relative to its rivals. On the soft and medium tyres, graining was a factor, while the hard tyre held up well enough to run near the whole race. He credited Pirelli for bringing the right compounds and the tarmac for being in good condition.

What's next:

Vowles believes Madrid has a strong foundation. The key question is whether the circuit can be tweaked to produce more overtaking. If so, he says, it could be "one of the races to watch in the future."