Max Verstappen has provided his assessment following the initial day of running at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix held at the new Madring circuit in Madrid. The Red Bull driver concluded Friday’s Free Practice sessions with a focus on refining the RB22’s performance ahead of the weekend’s competitive action.
Verstappen finished fifth in the first free practice session and sixth in the second, indicating a need for further optimisation. He noted that Red Bull is still ‘getting up to speed’ on the challenging new street circuit.
The Dutchman identified specific areas for improvement, stating the team needs to find more pace over a single lap. Additionally, a deeper understanding of tyre behaviour during long runs is crucial for the upcoming sessions.
Red Bull introduced reliability updates to the RB22 for the Madrid event. These modifications targeted the rear of the car and the connection between the floor and chassis, building on previous adjustments made in Monza.
The Madring circuit, a 5.414-kilometre hybrid layout featuring 22 turns, made its Formula 1 debut on Friday. The track incorporates both public roads and private land around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre.
Drivers have described the circuit as challenging, with characteristics reminiscent of Jeddah due to its fast corners and close proximity to walls. The track also features a unique banked Turn 12, known as ‘La Monumental’, with a 24% banking.
Verstappen openly stated his general preference for traditional circuits over street layouts. However, he acknowledged the quality of the Madring’s construction and overall setup.
Liam Lawson continues to deputise for the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, completing both practice sessions. Lawson finished tenth in both Free Practice 1 and 2.
Saturday’s schedule at the Madring includes the final Free Practice 3 session, followed by the critical Qualifying session. These will determine the grid for Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.
