Defending world champion Lando Norris has proposed sweeping architectural modifications to the Madring circuit following Kimi Antonelli’s procession-heavy inaugural Spanish Grand Prix victory.
Antonelli led Max Verstappen and Norris across the line during a 57-lap race featuring single-digit overtakes. The lack of passing validated early weekend concerns witnessed during the inaugural F3 sprint race. Teams had already navigated a severe Madring setup trap to extract single-lap speed, but race pace suffered.
Norris Demands Corner Removals
The McLaren driver believes replacing tight complexes with heavy braking zones will cure the gridlock.
“They should get rid of [Turns] 18, 19. Useless. Just have more of a straight into a hairpin,” Norris told Sky Sports.
The £71m hybrid street facility hosted 352,000 spectators over the weekend. Despite strong logistical operations, drivers felt the layout failed to deliver close combat and called for urgent redesigns before next season.
Wolff Confirms FIA Discussions
Circuit executives and F1 officials hold a 10-year contract in Madrid. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff indicated the track layout is already under review.
“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? There is a constant discussion and they are on it and understand we can tweak it a little bit,” Wolff told the Guardian.
The championship battle resumes at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
