Ollie Bearman has voiced his concerns about the Madring circuit, which will host the Madrid Grand Prix, believing its layout 'deters overtaking' and will force teams to rely heavily on qualifying to make progress during the race.
The purpose-built hybrid circuit, designed for the 2026 generation of F1 cars, features a mix of corners, including the heavily banked La Monumental. However, despite its modern design, the track isn't as conducive to overtaking as some had hoped. Bearman admitted that the weekend will be qualifying-focused, similar to Budapest, Monaco, and Zandvoort.
"I think it's going to be one of those races where we're very much focused on qualifying, similar to Budapest, Monaco, and even Zandvoort. It seems like a track where overtaking will be a big challenge," Bearman told the media, including Motorsport Week.
While praising corners like La Monumental for their thrill, Bearman lamented that some of the best overtaking opportunities have been compromised by the layout choices. "It's a shame, in a way, because I think the layout is OK, but there are some features of the circuit which naturally deter overtaking," he said.
He specifically pointed to Turn 5, where braking is done while turning, eliminating the possibility of different lines and sending one up the inside. "That's a shame and maybe a bit of an oversight, but it means that we're going to be fully focused on qualifying. To qualify well, of course, you need full confidence, and that starts with your first lap on Friday," he explained.
With high speeds and tight walls in certain sections, the track leaves minimal room for error, much like Monaco. It rewards bravery but punishes mistakes severely. For Bearman and the Haas team, qualifying will be crucial to secure a strong grid position and maximize their chances in the race.
As the weekend approaches, Bearman and his team will need to extract every ounce of performance in practice to find the optimal setup. A strong qualifying result will be the foundation for a positive outcome on a track where overtaking is expected to be difficult. Madrid could prove to be a test of strategy and courage, not just raw speed.
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