Top Drivers Demand Changes to Madring After Safety and Racing Concerns

Drivers say changing braking zones, improving visibility, shortening the pit lane would improve safety to allow clearer overtaking opportunities.

Overview

Drivers escalated public pressure Sunday, with Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz urging the FIA and organisers to revise braking zones, high‑speed sightlines and the unusually long pit lane.
Friday and Saturday rehearsals and practice sessions produced repeated stoppages, a burning F2 car and a heavy crash that exposed slow marshal recovery and strains on temporary track structures.
Verstappen says he has raised those safety and pit‑lane concerns directly with the FIA and rejected claims the street layout is beyond modification.
Teams warn the circuit’s tight braking geometry and heavy lateral loads boost tyre degradation and make qualifying position and tyre management likely to decide the race rather than on‑track passing.
Street circuits have been altered after their debuts before, and organisers’ long‑term plans for Madring mean FIA and driver feedback could prompt layout and operational changes after this weekend.