Max Verstappen has already raised several issues with the FIA regarding the Madring and believes that the new circuit can be greatly improved.
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The Madring is barely hosting its first Formula 1 Grand Prix when Max Verstappen is already calling for changes. Very critical about the lack of overtaking opportunities after qualifying, the Red Bull driver reveals that he has also discussed several other issues with the FIA, notably related to safety and the length of the pit lane.
The Dutchman does not definitively condemn the new Madrid circuit. He even believes that the layout has real potential, provided some modifications are made. For Verstappen, the main problem comes from the many braking zones located in the middle of tight corners, which considerably complicate overtaking attempts.
Verstappen would change “almost all the braking zones”
When asked about the changes he would make himself to the Madring, Verstappen did not hesitate long. The Red Bull driver believes that a large part of the braking zones should be redesigned to allow cars to fight more.
“Almost all the braking zones. If you give me the circuit map, I’ll take care of it. But they don’t ask for our help.”
Verstappen especially regrets that drivers are not more consulted before new circuits are built. Once the infrastructure is completed, the possibilities for modifications naturally become much more limited.
“In Jeddah, we managed to change some things, but you really have to do this work upstream, even before the circuit is built.”
The Dutchman assures he is perfectly willing to share his experience with the designers. He explains that he occasionally exchanges with some people involved in circuit creation.
“A driver knows very well what a circuit needs”
For Verstappen, the experience accumulated by drivers in competition is a resource that could help avoid certain mistakes. The four-time world champion believes they know exactly which features promote battles and overtaking.
“You can always ask, right? You can always ask what we think of a certain layout. I sometimes am in contact with some people. I don’t want to go into details because there are different designers, but I sometimes discuss ideas and circuits with someone.”
Verstappen notably cites Austin as an interesting example. The Circuit of the Americas has several corners wide enough to allow drivers to take different lines and continue a battle even when a first attack fails.
“A driver knows very well what is necessary or what a good corner looks like. Austin is a good example: you can really fight there. Some corners are wide and allow you to try something. It doesn’t always work, but at the exit, you can keep fighting.”
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A philosophy that Verstappen would like to see more on the Madring, where several zones currently force drivers to combine braking and direction changes.
Concerns also regarding safety
Overtaking is not the only topic discussed with the FIA. Verstappen reveals that drivers also talked about the management of certain incidents that occurred since the start of the weekend.
On Friday, the track marshals notably took time to intervene to recover a car on fire during the Formula 2 race. On Saturday, FP3 also experienced a long interruption after Lewis Hamilton’s accident, while repairs were made to the barriers.
“We discussed it with the FIA and I think they also spoke with the marshals. Obviously, for some people, it’s their first time here, but in the end, it’s something very important.”
Despite these criticisms, Verstappen does not consider the Madring a bad circuit overall. A few adjustments could be enough, according to him, to significantly improve the experience.
“If they can make some changes in certain parts of the circuit, it clearly has potential. I’ve never really been a big fan of street circuits, but there are worse ones on the calendar.”
The pit lane also in the spotlight
Another detail particularly annoys the Red Bull driver: the length of the pit lane. Verstappen believes its design lacks logic and reveals he also raised this issue with the FIA.
“We also talked about it and the FIA understands the problem. It’s not practical and it wasn’t thought out logically.”
This feature could have a direct influence on the Grand Prix strategy. A particularly long pit lane increases the time lost during a stop and can thus discourage some multi-stop strategies, even if the strong tire degradation observed during practice could force teams to take more risks.
Verstappen, who will start third behind Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli, knows however that strategy could be one of his best weapons on Sunday. After stating that he saw very few places to naturally overtake on the Madring, the Dutchman now hopes that tire degradation will create enough pace differences to open opportunities.
For the future, his message is clear: the new Madrid circuit has a good base, but Formula 1 and the FIA would do well to listen more to the drivers before defining the necessary changes.
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