Madring criticism: Max Verstappen would prefer to get hands-on himself

– Max Verstappen sees hardly any opportunities for overtaking on the new Madring in Madrid. The unusually long pit lane also draws criticism from the Red Bull driver.

Read more Sudden Understeer: Why Hamilton’s Pole Didn’t Last Until the End

While the Formula 2 and Formula 3 races around the IFEMA complex have already produced several accidents, chaos has so far been absent in Formula 1. After qualifying, however, the drivers still criticized the new track.

On a single lap, the track is quite entertaining, explains polesitter Lando Norris. However, the driving fun is not comparable to the appeal of Monaco. For the race, Verstappen expects difficulties especially when overtaking.

Verstappen finds no overtaking spot

“I still have to find a corner where I can overtake,” said the four-time world champion at the start of the press conference.

Verstappen praised the work on the asphalt but sees clear potential for improvement in the layout. Above all, the combination of corners and braking zones prevents overtaking maneuvers.

“They did a good job on the asphalt, even if it is already a bit bumpy in some places for a new track. But with the corners, as I already said: you can’t overtake.”

Criticism of the braking zones

Verstappen is particularly bothered by the design of the braking zones. If a driver has to turn in while braking, there is hardly any chance to get alongside. “With the braking zones, they need to learn that you should never have to steer and brake at the same time. That leaves no overtaking opportunities.”

For this reason, the Red Bull driver also considers stronger involvement of drivers in the planning of new tracks to be sensible. They could assess from their experience which corners allow good racing. “Regarding track design, I therefore think it could be better. I also think that driver input on track designs can be very helpful in the future.”

Verstappen comments on F3 sprint

After the press conference, Verstappen watched the start of the Formula 3 sprint race together with Dutch journalists. Already after the first laps, he saw his criticism of the Madring confirmed. “Now we can stop watching, now everyone is just driving behind each other anyway,” says Verstappen with regard to the action.

Soon after, there was an accident, but that did not change the Red Bull driver’s assessment. For him, it is especially important that the drivers can hardly use multiple lines in the crucial areas.

“If the braking zone were straight, you could get a car alongside. But if you have to turn in while braking, that possibility does not exist.” The consequence is an easy defense for the leading driver. “There is then only one line, and that makes it very easy to defend,” explains Verstappen.

Give me the track map

When asked which areas of the track he would specifically change, the Dutchman laughed: “Almost all braking zones! If you give me the track map, I’ll take care of it.”

Behind the joke, however, is a serious proposal. Verstappen says he would be willing to contribute his experience to the further development of race tracks.

“You can ask me anytime: ‘What do you think of this layout?’ I don’t want to go into detail now because there are different track designers. But sometimes I talk to someone about certain opinions and tracks.”

Read more Penalty after start chaos! Abt driver held responsible for chain reaction

Verstappen names Austin as a role model

For Verstappen, the driver’s perspective is particularly valuable in track planning. As a positive example, he names Austin, where several wide corners allow duels and overtaking attempts.

“Ultimately, a driver knows very well what is needed and how a good corner should look. There are also some good examples, like Austin. You can race well there. Certain corners are nicely wide. At least you can launch an attack there, and even if it doesn’t work immediately, you can keep fighting at the corner exit.”

Drivers were not asked beforehand

At the Madring, however, the drivers were not involved in this way. Verstappen emphasizes that such feedback should ideally happen before a track is built: “In Jeddah, we were able to change some things. But you should really do that beforehand, before the track is built.”

Therefore, a fundamental change to the Madring is hardly possible in the short term. Verstappen’s criticism is therefore also directed at the planning process of new Formula 1 tracks.

The pit lane also causes trouble

Besides the layout, the unusually long pit lane in Madrid is causing discussions. It is practically divided into two sections by an IFEMA hall. Lando Norris had already criticized the construction after qualifying. Verstappen confirms that the drivers have also addressed the issue with the FIA: “Yes, we have already talked to the FIA about it, and they have understood our point of view as well. It is not practical and not logically thought through.”

The length of the pit lane could also affect race strategy. Tire wear was high during the weekend so far, which would generally favor additional pit stops.

However, the time loss when driving through the pit lane and the importance of track position could lead teams on Sunday to plan as few stops as possible.

Verstappen has to save battery

Not only the track layout influences Verstappen’s assessment of the Madring. The energy management of the new Formula 1 power units also plays a decisive role for him.

Under these conditions, the Dutchman rates qualifying as “somewhat okay.” At the same time, he explains why he cannot simply drive one of the banked corners flat out all the time: “I just want to drive this banked corner flat out. But if I do that, I lose more time on the straight afterwards.”

The reason is the limited electrical energy. Whoever lifts off in the corner can charge the battery and then has higher top speed available on the straight. “That means you have to lift off and wait a bit to charge the battery. Then you have more top speed on the straight.”

Turns 18 and 19 also cost energy

Verstappen sees a similar problem in turns 18 and 19. There too, he has to reduce speed to have enough electrical energy available later.

Despite his criticism of the layout and energy management, Verstappen does not rule out improvements to the Madring. For him, it is crucial whether the track can still be adjusted in some places.

“If they can maybe change the track in some places, then definitely. I’m basically not a big fan of street circuits, but there are worse tracks on the calendar,” Verstappen concludes.

Read more Lando Norris: «That was one of the best laps of my career»