Madring Plotting Track Tweaks After Lacklustre Formula 1 Debut

Formula 1's newest circuit could look different when the championship returns next year, after the team behind Madrid's Madring admitted its debut Grand Prix failed to deliver the racing fans were promised. Speaking at the Leaders Week London sports business conference at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the circuit said organisers are already working on fixes following complaints about the absence of overtaking and on-track action at the inaugural event. The changes would involve only small modifications to certain corners, but they will need sign-off from the FIA. "We're working on it," she said, acknowledging the criticism. "It's not a difficult thing to change, because it's just a small modification in certain corners, but as you know it's not in our hands. We need FIA approval." The race had promised drama around the banked La Monumental curve, but instead turned into a procession that some drivers admitted risked putting spectators to sleep. World champion Lando Norris, who lost a likely win after an early virtual safety car, said afterwards the circuit needed to remove turns 18 and 19 and lengthen the straight into the hairpin to allow overtaking — though he added he would be excited to return if the changes were made. The spokeswoman also confirmed that pedestrian bridges will be moved after visibility complaints from fans in some grandstands, and that long queues for food and drink in the fan zone were another source of frustration. She suggested the caution had been worsened by crashes in junior series races during testing and the weekend, which triggered red flags and safety cars, as well as concerns over energy management with the new generation of hybrid cars.