Formula 1 drivers had their first opportunity to thoroughly examine the new Madrid Spanish Grand Prix track today, with George Russell quickly weighing in, calling it “possibly the most dangerous circuit on the entire calendar.”
Before the Spanish Grand Prix weekend began, drivers walked the circuit in Madrid to get a detailed look at every aspect of F1’s latest addition. Many compared their impressions to footage from a recent F3 test, highlighting how close the walls are and predicting that errors will likely lead to red-flag stoppages—making the upcoming race potentially very eventful.
Mercedes driver George Russell shared his thoughts: “I was surprised when I heard about 20 red flags in F3, and after trying the simulator, I was surprised there were only 20. This track is wild.” He described it as one of the most perilous on the calendar due to its high-speed corners reminiscent of Jeddah and the walls being alarmingly close, leaving almost no room for mistakes.
Russell elaborated, “There are also parts like Baku where you brake hard coming from high speed into slow corners, making it easy to lock up the tires and hit the wall. I’m eager to take it on. This will be a tough challenge for drivers, and overtaking might be difficult—overall, it’s not an easy circuit.”
Max Verstappen tried out the new track via the official F1 console game, frequently hitting walls and runoff areas with his Red Bull. Reflecting on this virtual experience, he said: “Small errors can lead to crashes here, just like in Jeddah. You need to manage those limits carefully. Mistakes are easy when pushing hard, so we’ll have to see how we handle it.” Comparing Madrid to Jeddah, Verstappen noted, “There are more low-speed corners here, but the overall feel is somewhat similar.”
Ferrari hopes to recover after recent setbacks caused by disagreements between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc and indecision from the team’s pit wall. Hamilton assessed the track’s fit for Ferrari: “Looking past how the car has performed in simulations, I think we’re starting from a good place. The track is sensitive to variables like wind, temperature, and grip, so it’s a constant balancing act.” He also pointed out some resemblance to Montreal’s circuit, with its high pace and long straights.
For McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, adapting from the virtual experience to real life will require restraint. “The track has a mix of quick, slow, and medium-speed corners,” said the Australian. “I’m curious about how bumpy it will be, especially given how aggressively some drivers used the curbs in F3. The sim was fun once you got into the rhythm, but in reality, I’d probably have wrecked a few cars trying the same thing. It looks promising though.”
Fan Take: This insight into the challenging Madring circuit is a thrilling preview for racing enthusiasts, hinting at a weekend full of high-risk moments and strategic battles. With such a tight and unforgiving track on the calendar, it could push drivers and teams to their limits, potentially reshaping the championship dynamics and excitement around street circuit racing.
Source: www.crash.net
