The FIA Formula 1 World Championship’s newest addition, the Spanish ‘Madring,’ has been notably controversial amongst teams, drivers, and the fanbase at large as its unfamiliarity proved to be a steep learning curve for both teams and drivers.
The most significant challenge that they faced was the lack of crucial opportunities for data-gathering, alongside vital track time to best understand its unique characteristics. Though time in the simulator proved to be especially valuable, it cannot perfectly replicate the same level of nuance that time on the track affords.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, seven-time race winner and current championship contender George Russell said before the race: “It’s a crazy circuit. I would put it as arguably the most risky circuit of the whole calendar because you have real high-speed corners, sort of Jeddah-esque. The walls are very close, so there’s no margin for error.” Other drivers were also in agreement, with seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton stating the following to Sky Sports F1, “It’s a massively challenging circuit. Of all the new tracks that I’ve gone to, this one, maybe Saudi, are the two closest in terms of how difficult it was to get on top of the car and find the right lines.”
The track’s trials were particularly felt during Formula 3 testing just one month prior to the circuit’s inaugural grand prix, with 19 red flags seen over the session’s two days. The unforgiving nature of the circuit also caught out Thai Formula 2 driver Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak during the feeder series’ Friday practice session, with a loss of control at Turn 19 causing his car to catch fire after contact with the barrier.
This demonstrates a necessity for additional testing days, or greater testing sessions, whenever a new circuit is added to the Formula 1 race calendar. All drivers and teams should be entitled to additional track time in order to gather ample data, which of course would leave drivers and teams starting with a more solid foundation. Further time for testing would also of course be within the best interests of driver safety, as track familiarity also mitigates dangerous circumstances. Circuits with greater risks will undoubtedly be introduced in the future, therefore such measures must be considered by the FIA.
Although the Madring’s inaugural grand prix only saw car retirements due to reliability issues during its 57 laps, it still sets an unfavourable precedent and demands change for how new tracks should be introduced to the sport going forward.
“File:Red Bull F1 Brasilia 2008 001.jpg” by Marcello Casal Jr./Abr is licensed under CC BY 3.0.
