The first new Formula One circuit since Las Vegas in 2023 was billed with all the hype to be expected in the modern TikTok era. The La Monumental 550-metres-long, 180-degree banked turn attracted thousands of column inches in the F1 press and was meant to be the most exciting corner in the sport since Monza abandoned its banked turns in favour of not killing its drivers year in and year out.
40,000 fans would be seated around the ‘iconic’ section of asphalt and it was said to be Indianapolis style, but driving the other direction. Of course, Indianapolis sees the fastest racing on planet Earth, with plenty of overtaking and the fans often not knowing the winner until the closing stages of the race.
A Processional Snoozefest on Steroids
Yet the Madring, the new host of the Spanish Grand Prix, proved to be one of the dullest affairs in motorsport history. It is the new Monaco on steroids. The sight of cars travelling at high speed whilst avoiding the lethal concrete barriers was meant to thrill those in attendance, yet in reality, the lack of overtaking opportunities and the race being decided by the virtual safety car delivered zero entertainment for those paying fortunes for the privilege to attend F1’s latest damp squib.
Spain now has two F1 tracks on the calendar, albeit with Barcelona rotating on a biannual basis with the truly iconic circuit in the Ardennes mountain region of Belgium. Both Spanish events now deliver processional and predictable racing, and such was the lack of action at the much-vaunted Madring, one of the drivers confessed he almost fell asleep.
Drivers Left Unimpressed by the Layout
For Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto, the Grand Prix was in effect a Sunday afternoon trundling around in his car waiting for something to happen. When asked after the chequered flag about his experience of F1’s newest venue, the Brazilian rising star was blunt, stating: “Yeah, I almost fell asleep as well!”
Gabriel Bortoleto summed it up precisely in the media pen following the processional event: “It would be nice if we had at least one place to overtake, but unfortunately that’s not how they designed it. So, there are good parts of this track and bad parts, and, you know, for sure the racing side of it is terrible. I think it would be nice if new tracks could come to the drivers, and we could give some opinions because we know, in types of tracks like this, that overtaking is going to be very tough. So, maybe in the future.”
No chance, Gabby. F1 has proven it’s not interested in the opinion of its drivers, who to a man are disgruntled with the new electrified engines which have been forced upon them.
The VSC Lottery and Strategic Misfortune
Lando Norris was deservedly leading the race when Lance Stroll’s car stopped on track, forcing race control to deploy the virtual safety car. Yet the vagaries of how and when F1 decides to throw its track cautions exposed once again the flawed thinking at the FIA.
The VSC deployment was perfectly reasonable, but Lando Norris had just passed the pit lane entrance and was committed to continue for another lap at 40% of the race pace. Behind him, Kimi Antonelli, who had started the race on the softer tyres along with Max Verstappen on the same strategy, eagerly dived into the pits for their mandatory one-stop of the race.
McLaren dutifully instructed Norris to also pit the next time around, but as he approached the pit lane entry, the virtual safety car was withdrawn as the race marshals had removed the stricken Aston Martin.
Norris would then suffer a pit stop which cost him some eleven more seconds compared to those behind him who had benefitted from a change of tyres whilst their rivals were crawling around under the virtual safety car. A number of drivers gambled on staying out given they had started the race on the hard tyre, which was described by one race engineer as almost “bulletproof.”
Why race control can’t ensure all the drivers have an opportunity to make a pit stop under VSC/SC conditions to prevent a lottery race result is ridiculous.
They were hoping for a big moment when one of their contemporaries hit the wall in spectacular fashion to bring out another safety car and a cheap pit stop, but all would be disappointed as the race remained and finished under green flag conditions.
A Blank Canvas Wasted by Poor Design
The Madring circuit is billed as a street course, yet the reality is that most of it was created on virgin, unspoilt land where the track designers had carte blanche in how they configured the track. Such was the obsession with the banked turn 12, little consideration was given to how the drivers might actually overtake.
Such was the awful spectacle in Madrid last Sunday, even the most loyal and under-the-thumb Stefano Domenicali F1 journalists have called out the shocking nature of the Madring. The reason F1 is now racing in Madrid is a political one, and it has been in the planning since the most recent attempt of Catalunya to break away from Spain’s control.
Even so, there was plenty of time to ensure the de facto new circuit was designed to encourage racing rather than an afternoon nap. Paddock rumours suggest the FIA was warned ahead of the Madring’s F1 debut that the circuit would not deliver proper racing, and there are ‘tweaks’ already in the pipeline to improve ‘the show’ for 2027.
The problem was the rush to get the Spanish Grand Prix moved to Spain’s capital city, with work only commencing less than 18 months before the event was held. Huge amounts were spent on the supposed ‘iconic’ La Monumental corner where, unlike Indianapolis, there is just one racing line for the drivers to pursue.
One of the ‘tweaks’ will presumably be made by re-profiling the entry into turns 5 and 6, which will allow the cars to enter side by side. Currently, the risk is too high to contest this entry, as the driver attacking is likely to be ruled by race control to have ‘pushed off’ his opponent in the effort.
Cracks in the F1 Facade
Yet, given pretty much a blank sheet of paper, it is unforgivable that F1 has approved the design of a new circuit with no consideration given to overtaking. Further, how this could happen given the extensive approval process is mind-blowing.
F1 is enjoying a period where its popular appeal is on the rise and the money is rolling in like never before. Yet behind the scenes, the decision processes are clearly fatally flawed. Engines hated by pretty much everyone except the manufacturers who use the sport as their R&D labs for road car development, processional new tracks like the Madring, and soaring ticket prices will soon expose the Wizard of Oz for who he truly is.
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A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
A much anticipated debut at a new circuit, but the race was a very dull affair. Circuit designers need to listen to advice from current drivers.