By admin 
The Madring circuit’s Formula 1 debut at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix did not go to plan. What promised to be one of the most exciting additions to the F1 calendar turned into one of the most processional races of the season, with barely any meaningful overtaking after the opening lap. Now, according to The Race, the circuit is planning changes to three key areas ahead of 2027.
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Reports suggest as few as four passes took place after the opening lap, a figure that would rank below even Monaco. The root cause was clear: the Madring does not have an obvious overtaking spot. While La Monumental earned widespread praise in qualifying, the race exposed a fundamental flaw that many drivers had flagged beforehand.
The most likely overtaking location, the Turn 5/6 chicane, proved impossible to use due to its tight, curved entry. Haas driver Ollie Bearman summed it up bluntly ahead of race weekend. “That kind of curved braking takes away any possibility of different lines and sending one up the inside. So that’s a shame and maybe a bit of an oversight.”
What Changes are Madring Officials Considering?
Madring officials have acknowledged the shortcomings, with discussions between the circuit, the FIA, drivers, and teams set to take place in the coming weeks.
The first change involves widening and altering the approach to the Turn 5/6 chicane to create more room for side-by-side racing. The second targets Turn 13, the left-hander after La Monumental, which will be tightened to create a more viable passing opportunity. The third involves widening the track around Turn 20, currently one of the tightest corners on the circuit, by reprofiling the entry and barrier alignment.
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These changes had already been proposed before the 2026 race, but the tight construction timetable and homologation complexities meant they were pushed to 2027.
What Drivers Want
Charles Leclerc was optimistic the fix does not need to be drastic. “It doesn’t require a big change. I think just a small change or two small changes could change significantly the racing that we have,” the Ferrari driver said.
Carlos Sainz pointed to Baku and Macau as the blueprint. “Good street tracks tend to have one single overtaking spot with a very long straight. I think we just need to have a look where there’s the possibility to add that.”
If the three planned changes deliver that one clear passing zone, the 2027 Spanish Grand Prix could look very different from the bore-fest that unfolded on Sunday.
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This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 4:35 AM.