Verstappen says Madring could damage cars
In Madrid, Spain, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen said ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix that the new Formula 1 Madring circuit could probably become a “car killer.” He described the layout as difficult because of closely positioned walls, corners and kerbs, some of which cars will have to drive over.
According to Sky Sports News, Verstappen compared the feeling in certain sections of Madring to the circuit in Jeddah. He said the Saudi track is generally faster, but the positioning of the walls is similar. The Dutchman also noted that driving over kerbs is usually not a strong point of his team’s car.
Formula 3 tests
Last month, Madring hosted two days of Formula 3 testing, during which 19 red flags were shown. Most stoppages were linked to crashes at different sections of the circuit.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz, who contributed to work on the circuit’s design, said that Madring differs from conventional tracks. He highlighted the nature of the layout and the different types of corners, adding that drivers will be able to assess the circuit more fully during the first practice session.
The importance of qualifying
According to Sky Sports News, qualifying could be crucial, as overtaking at Madring is expected to be difficult: most corners have only one racing line. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly said that unusual and blind corners, as well as a large banked turn, make the circuit difficult to adapt to even after simulator work.
George Russell called Madring possibly the riskiest track on the calendar because of fast corners, close walls and sections where drivers need to brake and turn at the same time. According to him, locking the wheels in such places can lead to a crash into the barrier. Lewis Hamilton also described the new circuit as extremely difficult for finding optimal racing lines.
