Madring impresses: ‘Probably the most difficult circuit on the F1 calendar’

It is a special weekend for Gene. The former Formula 1 driver and current Ferrari ambassador has arrived with his team at a brand-new circuit, which aims to become one of the most eye-catching tracks on the Formula 1 calendar.

“The first time we could walk around the Madring was on Thursday. I was very curious,” he said in the Madrid paddock during an exclusive interview with GPblog.

The Spanish Grand Prix is now hosted in Madrid, and no longer in Barcelona. In Catalonia, the Barcelona-Catalunya GP will be contested every second year.

Gene likes how diverse modern Formula 1 is. “When they go to different countries, they try to make sure the Grand Prix fits the way that city or country lives. They've managed to do that here in Madrid.”

Drivers like Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli have all already indicated that the circuit could be improved in certain areas. Gene doesn’t necessarily agree with that.

The Spaniard acknowledged similarities with Baku and Singapore, but also stated: “Of course, it's similar, but with the additional difficulty of uphill and downhill sections with blind corners. So I think that's why it's more difficult than Baku and Singapore.

"In some areas, there are elevation changes. Then, of course, you have the Monumental, which is a really nice corner. So that makes it probably one of, if not the most challenging tracks on the calendar. That's a good thing.”

Qualifying provided plenty of excitement on Saturday, but it remains uncertain whether the actual Grand Prix will be just as entertaining. “The race might be less good, because it looks like overtaking will be very difficult. Unless different tyre strategies come into play or something like that.

“We'll see how the race unfolds. But it seems there will be hardly any overtaking. That’s why I’m not sure how good the show will be during the race. We’ll have to wait and see,” Gene concluded.