{
  "id": 7201350,
  "title": "Drivers give cool reception to new Madring circuit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/drivers-give-cool-reception-to-new-madring-circuit",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T23:35:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/14/drivers-give-cool-reception-to-new-madring-circuit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Formula One drivers at the Madring circuit in Madrid, Spain, during the Spanish Grand Prix, showed a lack of enthusiasm for the new track. The race, decided by a safety car decision, lacked true passing moves and made it a no-overtaking zone. Drivers like Lando Norris, who finished third, and world champion Max Verstappen criticized the unattractive track design and questioned how it could have been approved. Norris even admitted he almost fell asleep during the race. Other drivers, including Arvid Lindblad and Gabriel Bortoleto, echoed similar sentiments. Some attributed the lack of excitement to the track's robust performance of the tyres, while others blamed the design for being too narrow and lacking overtaking opportunities. Williams Carlos Sainz, who was involved in the track design, also criticized the outcome, calling it poor on safety. Fernando Alonso, a two-time champion, further criticized the banked La Monumental corner, stating it was over-hyped. The absence of clear overtaking opportunities was pointed out as the circuit's most glaring weakness. Despite mixed reviews from spectators, it was agreed that future circuits should involve drivers in the planning and building process.",
  "summary": "The Spanish GP track featured very few genuine passing moves, with many sections too narrow to encourage overtaking.",
  "key_points": [
    "Drivers criticized Madring circuit's design as unattractive and unsafe.",
    "Lack of overtaking opportunities deemed circuit's most glaring weakness.",
    "Future circuits should involve drivers in planning and building process."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Drivers give cool reception to new Madring circuit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/drivers-give-cool-reception-to-new-madring-circuit-7205322",
        "published": "2026-09-13T23:35:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}