F1’s New $83M Track Has One BIG Problem…

🏁 The first-ever F1 race at Madring is in the books… but did Formula 1’s spectacular new Madrid circuit actually deliver?The hype was enormous. A brand-new circuit, 22 corners, the spectacular banked La Monumental, and more than 100,000 fans packed into Madrid.But when the lights went out, there was one fairly major problem: overtaking was almost impossible.In Episode 104 of The Downshift F1 Podcast, we review the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix and ask whether Madring is a brilliant circuit for qualifying and hot laps — but a terrible circuit for actual Formula 1 racing.🏆 Kimi Antonelli took another huge victory, with Max Verstappen second and Lando Norris third after a dramatic safety-car period and another costly McLaren pit stop.We break down:🏎️ Why Madring produced so few overtaking opportunities😴 Whether F1 has effectively created a faster version of Monaco🔥 Why La Monumental looks spectacular but didn't necessarily improve the racing⏱️ An incredibly close qualifying battle between Norris and Antonelli🟠 How Lando Norris went from pole position to P3🔧 McLaren's costly seven-second pit stop🏆 Another outstanding drive from championship leader Kimi Antonelli🐂 Max Verstappen's impressive run to P2🇪🇸 A difficult home Grand Prix for the Spanish drivers😬 Whether Lance Stroll's future at Aston Martin should finally be under serious pressure📈 The latest championship picture — and whether anyone can realistically stop Kimi🔮 Plus our prediction results and an early look towards BakuAnd unlike the rest of us watching on TV, KT was actually at Madring for its inaugural Grand Prix. He gives us the view from inside the circuit — including the atmosphere, fan zones, hospitality, circuit access, viewing areas and some of the first-year teething problems Madrid needs to address before F1 returns in 2027.So after all the hype, was Madring worth it?Let us know in the comments:👇 Did you enjoy the Madrid Grand Prix — or does F1 need to change the circuit before next year?👍 Like the episode if you enjoyed it🔔 Subscribe to The Downshift for our F1 race previews, reviews, predictions and plenty of questionable motorsport opinions throughout the 2026 season.#F1 #Formula1 #MadridGP #Madring #SpanishGP #KimiAntonelli #LandoNorris #MaxVerstappen #MercedesF1 #McLarenF1 #F1Podcast