Can driver opinions fix the Madring? It's not that straightforward

George Russell believes changes to the Madring circuit need making but that it’s not always easy for drivers to give their time to provide input, following a processional Spanish Grand Prix.

The first race at the new circuit in Madrid had little in the way of overtaking action, with the most obvious passing opportunity – at Turn 5 – limited by the need for drivers to turn while braking on approach to the corner. Russell says the following corners are also tight and don’t give much space to make a move stick, but he also says the drivers’ opinions are not always easy to gather given their schedules.

“Yes [more driver input is needed] but we're all quite selfish, and nobody can be bothered to give their time,” Russell, who is also a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said. “So, we've got busy schedules, and there's a lot of limitations. There, when you actually look at the layout, there's not really much you can do. It's tight, there’s a bridge [at Turn 5]…

“I don't know what, but they need to do something. They need to make a change because every track needs to have an overtaking opportunity after a bit of a straight. This one has that tight chicane, and that corner is a real challenge, but it's not pleasant. After 60 laps smashing those curbs, my head was a bit sore by the end.”

Russell’s own race result was limited to fifth place as he made two pit stops compared to most drivers one-stopping, but he believes the lack of overtaking opportunities meant he would have finished in that position regardless.

“The hard was by far the most superior tire” Russell said. “It would have been a big gamble to stay out on the medium. I thought I had nothing to lose, but in the end, I think I would have ended up where I ended up anyway. So, yes, a bit of a shame. Very tough track to overtake, which was a bit annoying, I guess, for everyone.

“I think the performance was far better than the result [in Madrid]. I think the pace was really strong, among the strongest of everybody out there. So, I take those positives. But this was kind of like Monaco-esque in terms of in terms of qualifying being everything.”