Max Verstappen’s criticism of the 2026 cars as unresponsive will face an important test on the new Madring circuit. With 22 corners and no race data history, the Madrid layout may highlight precisely the characteristic of the current cars that bothers the four-time Formula 1 champion.
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In an interview with the BBC, published on Wednesday (09), Verstappen stated that the current regulations act like a ‘choke’, forcing drivers to lift off, brake earlier, and manage energy usage instead of simply attacking the corners. According to the Dutch driver, the quick adaptations by Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson in their recent substitutions also indicate that the current cars reduce the differences between competitors.
The Madring is 5.416 km long and combines narrow sections near the IFEMA exhibition center with faster sectors in Valdebebas. The most distinctive point is La Monumental, a 550-meter banked corner with a 24% gradient, while the full layout demands constant changes in behavior throughout the 22 corners.
The configuration chosen for the debut also increases the importance of the cars’ behavior in the corners. The FIA limited the use of active aerodynamics to only two ‘Straight Mode’ zones, which means drivers will pass through the second and third sectors using maximum aerodynamic downforce.
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Verstappen himself acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge: “It will be very difficult, as this is not an easy track,” he said. He added that even after several laps in the simulator, it is still complicated to come away completely satisfied with a lap.
Carlos Sainz, who has already completed a full lap on the Madring, but not with an F1 car, gave a more positive assessment regarding the energy issue. According to him, the circuit should not suffer much from energy management problems thanks to the heavy braking zones, which offer frequent regeneration opportunities.
Williams, however, took a more cautious stance and classified Madrid as one of the most complex energy management exercises of the season. The British team highlighted that the decision to take certain corners without lifting off the throttle or with a reduced pace could significantly alter energy usage for the rest of the lap.
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