Formula 1 debuts in Madridng: “Car wrecking track”

Madridng makes its Formula 1 debut already this weekend (11 to 13 september). Welcome the GP of Spain, being an urban circuit in the IFEMA area whose characteristics cause fear the chaos and difficulties of overcoming.

In fact, in August there were several incidents during the two days of Formula 3 tests – counting 19 red flags. It is true that interruptions are managed differently in tests, but it is an indicator of the potential for screening and collisions.

The asphalt is new and so it does not yet have high levels of adhesion. AND the circuit design is very challenging: high brokers at some points, slopes, including the challenging La Monumental – a curve with a lot of angle that extends for about 550 meters (the longest in the calendar). All this with the walls close – some local ones, closer than others.

Facing the Unknown

Teams and pilots have to deal with the unknown. The contact you have is in a simulator and there is a lack of real-world information about a whole new circuit, where you don't know how single-places or tires will behave and handle the track.

In addition, noted the leader of Williams James Vowles, it is a complicated circuit in which “it will be difficult to find only a few seconds to talk to the pilot” during the lap.

The British highlighted La Monumental leaning as a “challenge to the car and to the drivers,” he recalled that there are particularly high brokers at some points in the circuit. And he stressed: “It'll be a big challenge to make sure we maximize the time back, but we don't damage the car“.

Quoted by GrandPrix, James Vowles spoke about the rugged Formula 3 test: “They are F3 pilots, but it's a car wrecking track“.

Heavy Grand Prix? Mistakes can be costly

One of the drivers who participated in the Formula 3 test was Tuukka Taponen, who is part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. In a statement, he left a warning to navigation: “It's very demanding from a physical point of view in sequences of long laps and stints of races, and very demanding because you need to be always focused. The walls are very close, so even a small mistake can have a great cost“.

In a social media video, Max Verstappen admitted that accidents may occur: “I think it will be very difficult. It's not an easy lead, if you do a few consecutive laps it's very difficult. And also you may have a tendency to create some heavy accidents at certain points”.

Literally competing at home in his hometown, Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes) also foresees challenges: “I think that because of the way they put the barriers and the design of the track, it will be one of the most recent challenges in Formula 1. [...]. Looking at the track and knowing what happened in the F3 test, i think we're all waiting for safety car, red flags and yellow flags“, said quoted by Sky Sports F1.

Run with few overruns?

Overcoming an urban circuit is no longer easy, as seen in races such as Monaco, Saudi Arabia (Jidá) or Azerbaijan. And Madridng has specific features that can make the task even more difficult.

World champion Max Verstappen spoke of the possible lack of possibilities to overcome: “Many braking zones are tilted, so you can't try to get past, because you are blocking, but also turning – which is the worst you can do to create opportunities for overcoming”.