Drivers offer mixed but largely positive first impressions of Madrid’s new Madring
After the first day of Formula 1 running at the new Madring, drivers broadly described the circuit as fast, challenging and high-commitment. Some also warned that the layout carries significant risk, following Arvid Lindblad’s Friday practice crash.
Teams and drivers used their first day on the brand-new Madring to form an initial view of Formula 1’s new Madrid venue. Across multiple reports, the early verdict was generally positive, with drivers describing the circuit as extremely challenging, very fast and demanding.
The 5.4km layout was portrayed as a high-commitment track that combines elements associated with a street circuit with quicker sections. Several drivers praised that character, while others were less convinced, making the overall reaction mixed but mostly favorable.
There were also warnings about the level of risk. George Russell called the circuit "very high risk" after Arvid Lindblad crashed in Friday practice at the Spanish Grand Prix. Although junior-category sessions featured several incidents, F1 running itself was reported to have produced only that single crash so far, meaning the feared chaos had not materialized on day one.
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