F1 Drivers Predict 19-Plus Red Flags at Madrid's New Madring Circuit
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Sep 10
F1 Drivers Predict 19-Plus Red Flags at Madrid's New Madring Circuit
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Sep 10
Summary
George Russell, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon said Madrid's new Madring is likely to produce multiple crashes and red flags during this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix after simulator runs exposed its risks.
The concern centers on high-speed sections, close walls and curved braking zones, including the 24-degree banked La Monumental, where drivers said lockups and small mistakes could send cars straight into barriers.
A recent two-day Formula 3 test already produced 19 red flags, a benchmark Russell said looked less surprising after his own virtual lap of the hybrid street circuit around IFEMA.
Albon also warned blind corners could leave drivers unsighted if a car stops ahead, while the angled braking zones into Turns 5, 8 and 17 may make overtaking difficult and encourage bigger qualifying risks.
The early verdict from drivers is that Madring could become one of Formula 1's most hazardous and disruptive tracks, with race control likely to face repeated stoppages.