Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-14 · by Tales Azzoni The Associated Press
After criticism from drivers and fans for a lack of overtaking opportunities during its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, organizers of the new Madring track in Madrid are planning layout changes for next year. The FIA has indicated potential improvements needed on the urban circuit, which mixes existing roads with purpose-built sections. Event director Luis García Abad confirmed they will be open to making alterations to enhance racing excitement while praising the high-adrenaline laps during qualifying sessions.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The recent Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid drew criticism from Formula 1 drivers and fans due to the lack of overtaking opportunities on the new 5.4-kilometer (3.3-mile) circuit, which features 22 corners. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli won the race after an unlucky break for pole-sitter Lando Norris, who finished third behind Max Verstappen. Event director Luis García Abad confirmed that changes to the track layout are expected next year based on FIA recommendations aimed at enhancing racing excitement and overtaking opportunities. Madrid signed a 10-year contract with Formula 1 but will need to make adjustments to improve the circuit's performance for future races.
Written for “Formula One Track Changes Madrid” on 2026-09-14,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 8937 · logged 2026-09-14
MADRID (AP) — Changes are expected to the new Madring track next year after its lackluster debut at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
asserted
Changes → expect → Prix
Organizers said they are open to trying to improve the layout that produced virtually no overtaking opportunities and drew widespread criticism from Formula 1 drivers.
asserted
that → say → drivers
The lack of track action was criticized by fans as well as F1 returned to Madrid after a 45-year absence.
asserted
F1 → criticize → absence
Event director Luis García Abad said that governing body FIA has already indicated the changes that might be needed on the urban track that mixes existing roads and purpose-built sections.
uncertain
that → say → roads
Madrid signed a 10-year contract to be on the F1 calendar.
asserted
Madrid → sign → calendar
“Well, to be honest, FIA has clearly defined how to improve the circuit layout, and we will be open to that because we will have to refurbish the circuit for next year,” Abad told Motorsport.com.
asserted
Abad → define → Motorsport.com
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli won Sunday’s race after pole-sitter Lando Norris caught an unlucky break with the timing of the deployment of the virtual safety car.
asserted
Norris → win → car
Norris ended third, behind Max Verstappen.
asserted
Norris → end → Verstappen
“I think there are some obvious changes they should make,” Norris said.
asserted
Norris → think → ?
“I think 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.
asserted
it → think → changes
To me, it’s not a great racetrack.
asserted
it → ’ → me
It’s great in qualifying.”
asserted
It → ’ → qualifying
Norris was among those who praised the high-adrenaline laps that the circuit produced when cars were not battling for position.
asserted
cars → praise → position
“I really believe that the drivers enjoyed qualifying a lot.
asserted
drivers → believe → ?
But for sure we will try to make an improvement for next year,” Abad said.
asserted
Abad → try → year
“We have the space, we have a venue, we have the facilities, we have the capacity to do it.
asserted
we → have → it
If we can improve something, we will do it.”
asserted
we → improve → it
Only a few passes happened during the race at the 5.4-kilometer (3.3-mile) circuit that has 22 corners and combines high-speed zones, heavy-braking areas, changes of gradient, blind angles, technical sectors and long, high-load corners that proved challenging for drivers.
asserted
that → happen → drivers
“It definitely doesn’t create overtaking opportunities and it doesn’t push you to try and make a move,” Antonelli said.
asserted
Antonelli → create → move
“I think 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 know, you’re just stuck behind.”
asserted
you → think → race
Drivers mostly praised the infrastructure of the new circuit that was built around exhibition-hall pavilions in an affluent area of the Spanish capital.
asserted
that → praise → capital
Norris had also called for changes to the track’s long pit lane, which is divided in two sections and discourages strategic pit stops.
asserted
which → call → stops
