Madrid F1 circuit set for changes after criticism

Organisers of the Spanish Grand Prix are poised to make changes to the new Madrid circuit after criticism of its inaugural race at the weekend.

Drivers pointed out the lack of overtaking opportunities on the new Madring, with Williams' Alex Albon claiming the race was "pretty boring" and Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto saying he "almost fell asleep".

Drivers praised the track's challenge over a single lap, but world champion Lando Norris said one section was "useless" and it was "not a great racetrack".

But team bosses praised the new facility at the Ifema exhibition centre near Madrid's international airport.

And the organisers have told commercial rights holder F1 and governing body the FIA that they are prepared to make changes to the venue for next year.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said: "First, I have to say that we can discuss about overtaking, but overall, for me, the event was mega.

"The infrastructure, we were mega welcome in the city. We have also to be fair with them and to congratulate Madrid for the job done on this side.

"They are keen to do modifications in the future. They have probably more latitude in Madrid than in Monaco to change something. Let's work together to see if we can do something. But overall, I think we have to be fair with them. It was a good effort."

And Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: "For a first [race], it's probably one of the best, or maybe the best, that I've seen so far. It's a temporary circuit. They've built something that is challenging for the drivers. A mini Macau or a mini Monaco. The location is good.

"We're thinking about how much more can we do next year in terms of the events here or presentations because we have the space and that's very rare. So I would say congratulations for a first.

"And then it's the tricky bit. Doing a track that is spectacular also for the drivers. And then building it in a way that there is lots of overtaking.

"I had a discussion yesterday with the CEO of the circuit and they are totally open-minded about next year and say 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 also?'

"There is a constant discussion and I think that they are on it and understand that we can tweak it a little bit here or there."

Race winner Kimi Antonelli said: "It definitely doesn't create overtaking opportunities and it doesn't push you to try and make a move because 80% of the time you might have a contact.

"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're just stuck behind."

And world champion Norris, who was denied victory for McLaren by the unfortunate timing of a virtual safety car, said: "There are some obvious changes they should make. They should get rid of [Turns] 18, 19 - useless. Just have more of a straight into a hairpin.

"I don't know how someone looks at this design and goes, 'mint'.

"There's a lot of opportunity. 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."

On social media, F1 fans also criticised access and the facilities, including having to sit on earth trackside, poor visibility, broken facilities and a general lack of readiness.

It is well known that organisers were up against it in terms of the timeframe to get the track ready for its first event.

The circuit is made up of a combination of roads already in place at Ifema and specific parts of permanent circuit, including the trademark banked corner at Turn 12 known as La Monumental.

Madring managing director Luis Garcia Abad, the former manager of two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso, did not respond to requests for comment from BBC Sport on Monday.

But after the race he told Autosport: "The FIA defined clearly which is the way to improve the track layout, and we will be open because we will have to reinstall the track for the next year.

"I really believe that the drivers enjoyed qualifying a lot. But for sure we will try to make an improvement for next year.

"We have the space, we have a venue, we have the facilities, we have the capacity to do it. I'm sure that FOM [Formula One Management], FIA and ourselves, we will try. If we can improve something, we will do it."