F1 drivers predict chaos in Madrid: “It’s going to be crazy”

One of the most recurring topics in the paddock from Monza last weekend was what to expect from the debut of the new circuit from Madring , where the F1 Spanish GP  this weekend.

The protagonists, drivers and team managers, are eager to see what awaits them on such a unique track full of personality. But everyone agrees that the challenge for the pilots will be immense, and warns that there will be no room for error. The race promises to be exciting and chaotic, with a high probability of safety car entries and red flags.

"What will Madring be like? Crazy", said Hülkenberg in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, which we will publish in the coming days. "You will see…", he said with a smile, not wanting to reveal too much. But his facial expression said it all. 

"It's a track that will evolve a lot. But from what I've seen, I think which will be exciting. I would classify it as somewhere between Jeddah and Monaco. The wall is very close and leaves no room for error ", he said Aston Martin's Mike Krack. 

"A real car wrecker, the F3 cars broke three chassis and six suspensions."

One of the most emphatic voices to speak about Madring was that of the chief from Williams, James Vowles . After the 19 red flags during the last two days of FIA F3 testing , and after the drivers tested the track in the simulator to prepare for the race, Vowles made his position clear.

Firstly, he expressed the enormous difficulty that This track's iconic long corner, 'La Monumental', represents not only for the drivers but also for the cars. Unlike other inclined curves in the calendar, such as Zandvoort, this is an exceptionally long inclined curve, with a final length of 547.82 meters and a lateral slope that varies between 18% and 25% . This slope varies, and the final elevation change means you come out of the turn blind, seeing only the sky. 

"We were surprised by the amount of sustained G-forces we will have in the banked turn. I think we're talking about more than four and a half seconds with very high G-force, which represents a challenge for lubrication systems… It's something that's practically non-existent on the calendar, so it's a unique feature," said Vowles. 

I think we're talking about more than four and a half seconds under very high G-force, which represents a challenge for lubrication systems… It's practically non-existent on the calendar.

James Vowles

I think it will be a challenge. I see the smile on your face. We are also looking forward to it.

And also, and this is probably the most important thing for me, there were nine red flags in the Formula 3 test: three broken chassis and six broken suspensions. Okay, they're Formula 3 drivers, but it's a track that destroys cars. So, it will be interesting to see what happens”, noted the Brit.

And, after his boss's words, Sainz confirmed. 

"Analyzing the circuit and knowing what happened in the Formula 3 test, I think we all expected safety car entries, red flags, yellow flags, problems in qualifying and things like that," said Sainz. 

We all expect safety cars, red flags, yellow flags, problems in qualifying and things like that.

Carlos Sainz

"Due to the positioning of the barriers and the design of the circuit, this will be one of the biggest challenges we've seen recently in Formula 1. I think the layout reminds me a lot of Jeddah, also Baku and, in some aspects, even a little Macau. So, having a circuit like this in Formula 1, with 1,000 horsepower cars, will be a very interesting challenge. Let's see how it goes," said the local driver. 

"We have to wait and see what happens before we can make a final assessment, but I think the F3 test went very well, as the drivers were surprised by the circuit; I think it is one of the most difficult circuits they have ever driven on", argued Carlos, who helped the promoter with his ideas before creating the project, with the aim of giving the track personality.  

The F3 drivers were surprised. It's one of the hardest circuits they've ever raced on.

Carlos Sainz

"That already gives character to the circuit, it gives personality to the circuit, which I think is important when you're new to F1, have character and personality, which is what I was asking from the circuit. And then we will have to evaluate whether he went too far in terms of character and personality and became a crazy circuit or if it's a really fun circuit with overtaking and so on, then we'll have to wait and see."

We will have to evaluate whether we have pushed the limits on this circuit or not, and whether it has become crazy.

Carlos Sainz

"I'm very excited about Madrid, for sure. It's another new circuit to discover. It will be an incredible feeling.  Before Madrid, I will be in Barcelona on Wednesday. There, I have an event where I will also drive some cars. So I'm looking forward to going back to Spain next week," commented Fernando Alonso last Thursday. 

High degradation

Another problem that increases the difficulty of the track and the probability of making a mistake that leads to an accident is the high degradation that tires can suffer. 

“Yes, I agree,” Vowles said. 

"What usually happens is that because the track has little grip and that grip gradually increases, we end up getting away with it, as strange as it may seem. But you're right, this can be a problem. It could be temperatures, degradation and also the new surface material. If you remember the first year in Miami, the asphalt wasn't perfect, and in fact we didn't have degradation, but rather a lot of movement and skidding, and we had to resurface the track because of that", recalled the Williams boss. 

"Whenever a new circuit is built quickly — and this one was built quickly — there are these risks. In my opinion, the biggest risk is that we may not have the quality of racing expected on Sunday, in addition to some technical problems that could include car breakdowns," he concluded. 

To surpass? 

Vowles believes that the circuit presents a scenario where overtaking will be difficult. Carlos Sainz thinks there will be opportunities to overtake him thanks to the current regulations, which allow drivers to follow the car in front closely and count on the electric advantage to attempt an attack.

"Yes, you said it right," Carlos replied when asked if this regulation allowed overtaking at Madring, on a track where, with the previous regulations, it would have been difficult to overtake. 

"Analyzing the circuit at first glance, I don't see any clear opportunity to overtake. , which is perhaps one of the aspects that can be improved after the first race. If we give feedback on the circuit and it is open to improvements, then everyone wants to see overtaking races, and we will have to find a way. That's where I can also contribute to see how it can be improved. Therefore, I am open to any feedback and flexible enough to improve or change whatever is necessary," said Sainz, who then made one last request. 

The only thing I ask of everyone involved in the project is to be open to feedback from riders. It's impossible to get everything right in the first year.

Carlos Sainz

"The only thing I ask of everyone involved in the project, from Formula 1 to the drivers and the circuit, is to keep an open mind to the feedback the drivers may give after the Grand Prix. As with all the destinations we visit, such as Miami, Mexico (for the first time), Baku… there were always improvements over time as we received feedback and the project was improved.  And everyone should be patient, because it is impossible to get everything right in the first year. Therefore, as long as there is flexibility and a desire to improve and learn, I believe it is destined to be a great Grand Prix", he concluded to the Spanish press in Monza.