The inaugural Spanish Grand Prix on Madrid’s new Madring circuit has triggered an immediate debate over the future of the venue, with Formula 1 drivers calling for changes to improve overtaking while organisers insist they are ready to work with the FIA and Formula 1 Management on modifications for next season.
Although the new circuit at the Ifema exhibition centre, close to Madrid’s international airport, received praise for its infrastructure, location and demanding layout, the quality of racing became a major talking point after drivers struggled to find opportunities to pass.
Race winner Kimi Antonelli was among those to identify the problem, saying the circuit’s configuration discouraged drivers from attempting overtaking moves because of the high risk of contact.
"It definitely doesn't create overtaking opportunities and it doesn't push you to try and make a move because 80% of the time you might have a contact," Antonelli said.
"There are some corners that need to be changed to create more overtaking opportunities because right now, yes, it's nice over one lap, but for sure in the race you're just stuck behind."
The criticism was echoed by several other drivers. Williams' Alex Albon described the race as "pretty boring", while Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto said he "almost fell asleep".
The contrasting opinions have highlighted one of the central challenges facing the Madring: creating a circuit that retains its technical difficulty and spectacle over a single lap while also providing enough opportunities for wheel-to-wheel racing.
World champion Lando Norris, who was denied victory for McLaren after the timing of a virtual safety car worked against him, was particularly blunt in his assessment of parts of the circuit.
"There are some obvious changes they should make. They should get rid of [Turns] 18, 19 - useless. Just have more of a straight into a hairpin," Norris said.
"I don't know how someone looks at this design and goes, 'mint'."
Despite his criticism, Norris believes the circuit has significant potential and could become a much stronger venue for racing if changes are made.
"There's a lot of opportunity. They can make it into a track that's good for racing, and I'm excited to come back here next year if they can make these changes because I think it's a track that is good fun to drive and it can be a great racetrack," he added.
Team bosses praise Madrid debut
The drivers' criticism has not been matched by the same level of dissatisfaction from team principals, several of whom praised the overall organisation and ambition of Madrid's first Formula 1 event.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged the concerns surrounding overtaking but said the wider event deserved recognition.
"First, I have to say that we can discuss about overtaking, but overall, for me, the event was mega," Vasseur said.
"The infrastructure, we were mega welcome in the city. We have also to be fair with them and to congratulate Madrid for the job done on this side."
Vasseur also suggested that Madrid could have an advantage over some established Formula 1 venues because its circuit can potentially be modified more easily.
"They are keen to do modifications in the future. They have probably more latitude in Madrid than in Monaco to change something. Let's work together to see if we can do something. But overall, I think we have to be fair with them. It was a good effort."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was similarly positive about the event, describing it as one of the strongest first races he had seen.
"For a first [race], it's probably one of the best, or maybe the best, that I've seen so far. It's a temporary circuit. They've built something that is challenging for the drivers. A mini Macau or a mini Monaco. The location is good," Wolff said.
Wolff said the size and flexibility of the venue could also provide Madrid with opportunities to expand its Formula 1 programme beyond the racing itself.
"We're thinking about how much more can we do next year in terms of the events here or presentations because we have the space and that's very rare. So I would say congratulations for a first."
However, Wolff acknowledged that the next challenge would be balancing the circuit's technical character with better racing.
"And then it's the tricky bit. Doing a track that is spectacular also for the drivers. And then building it in a way that there is lots of overtaking."
He added that discussions about possible changes were already taking place.
"I had a discussion yesterday with the CEO of the circuit and they are totally open-minded about next year and say we've had the discussions with the FIA - 'what is it we should do? How is it that we should lay the track out when it comes to overtaking also?'"
"There is a constant discussion and I think that they are on it and understand that we can tweak it a little bit here or there."
Organisers ready to make changes
The Madring's management has indicated that it expects the circuit to be reviewed before next year's race, giving the FIA and Formula 1 an opportunity to address concerns about its layout.
Madring managing director Luis Garcia Abad, the former manager of two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso, said after the race that the governing body had already identified ways in which the circuit could be improved.
"The FIA defined clearly which is the way to improve the track layout, and we will be open because we will have to reinstall the track for the next year," Garcia Abad told Autosport.
"I really believe that the drivers enjoyed qualifying a lot. But for sure we will try to make an improvement for next year."
Garcia Abad also stressed that Madrid has the physical capacity to make changes because of the space and facilities available at the venue.
"We have the space, we have a venue, we have the facilities, we have the capacity to do it. I'm sure that FOM [Formula One Management], FIA and ourselves, we will try. If we can improve something, we will do it."
Garcia Abad did not respond to requests for comment from BBC Sport on Monday.
A circuit built under pressure
The debate comes against the backdrop of a demanding construction schedule. Organisers were working against a tight deadline to have the venue ready for its first Formula 1 event, with the circuit combining existing roads around Ifema with newly constructed permanent sections.
One of its most distinctive features is the banked Turn 12, known as La Monumental, which has been designed to give the circuit a distinctive character and provide drivers with a significant challenge.
Drivers generally praised the Madring when discussing its qualifying characteristics, but the same features that make it demanding over a single lap have raised questions about whether it can produce the close racing Formula 1 wants.
That distinction could become central to any redesign. The aim will be to preserve the circuit's character without allowing cars to become trapped behind one another during a race.
Fans raise wider concerns
The criticism has extended beyond the track layout. Some Formula 1 fans on social media complained about access to the venue and aspects of the spectator experience, including poor visibility, broken facilities, inadequate preparation and areas where spectators were required to sit on earth trackside.
Such complaints have added another layer to the assessment of Madrid's debut weekend, although the scale and complexity of staging a first Formula 1 race at a new venue have also been acknowledged.
With the event now established on the calendar, attention will turn to whether the organisers can use the lessons of the inaugural race to improve both the circuit and the wider fan experience.
For Madrid, the first race has therefore delivered a mixed verdict: a venue praised by team bosses for its infrastructure, ambition and location, but a circuit that drivers believe must evolve if it is to deliver consistently exciting racing.
The willingness of the organisers to make changes could prove crucial. If the FIA, Formula 1 Management and the Madring team can address the overtaking problems while preserving the circuit's technical challenge, Madrid may yet develop into one of Formula 1's most distinctive and competitive venues.