Norris calls for redesign of Madrid circuit and overhaul of F1 virtual safety car

After finishing third at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix on the new Madrid circuit, Lando Norris urged organizers to remove turns 18 and 19, describing them as pointless and proposing a longer straight leading into a hairpin. He claimed the track’s lack of overtaking spots, combined with an early virtual safety car (VSC) deployment, robbed him of a win he had secured from pole position. The VSC allowed competitors behind him to pit and save roughly 11 seconds, while he missed the opportunity when the VSC ended.

Norris suggested possible solutions such as extending the VSC for a full lap or restricting pit entry to emergencies. Max Verstappen, who finished second, said the matter should be discussed at the next briefing, and McLaren boss Andrea Stella noted that any rule change would be a lengthy process unless the FIA or Formula One push for it. Norris acknowledged practical challenges, like tyre changes in wet conditions, but emphasized the need for fairness to prevent similar losses in the future.