Max Verstappen offers Madring comparison: 'It can result in a crash'

Max Verstappen has drawn a direct parallel between the brand-new Madring and the notorious Jeddah Corniche Circuit, warning that small errors in the Spanish capital could easily end in the barriers.

The 5.4-kilometre, 22-turn semi-permanent layout hosts Formula 1 for the first time this weekend. Concrete walls sit close to the racing line for much of the lap, and a recent Formula 3 test offered a taste of what could come with 19 red flags across two days.

That chaotic test has fuelled warnings of a crash-strewn weekend, but Verstappen was measured when addressing the topic, despite having previously identified numerous corners that could prove hazardous.

"In some places, when you have a tiny moment, it can result in a crash," the four-time F1 drivers' champion told media, including RacingNews365.

"But Jeddah is the same. You just have to deal with it, try to figure out the margins, and try to keep it under control.

"But, of course, when you're on the limit, it's easy to make a little mistake. But let's just see how the weekend goes."

Jeddah's high-speed, blind corners hemmed in by concrete barriers have produced red flags and heavy impacts since its 2021 debut, and Verstappen sees a similar unforgiving character at the Madring, albeit with a different speed profile.

"There are quite a lot more lower-speed corners, but the sensation I get is a little bit like [Jeddah]," he added.

Can Verstappen make the difference?

The Madring's La Monumental, a 550-metre banked right-hander at a 24-per cent gradient, is a showpiece feature and is unlike anything on the rest of the calendar.

But when Verstappen was asked whether the circuit's demanding nature makes it a true driver's track, where he might be able to gain an advantage over his peers, the Red Bull driver dampened expectations.

"You can make the story as beautiful as you want, right? Driver track or not," he responded. "But, at the end of the day, in Formula 1, you still need a fast car.

"As a driver, I think this year I feel good, but I'm not winning races. Does that mean I'm a bad driver or not quick? I don't think so, but it's not like, suddenly, because this is more of a driver's circuit than Monza or whatever, that suddenly you can do a lot better. But I just want to enjoy the weekend.

"And the banking, I think it's cool. Not gonna be easily flat, so there's a bit of skill involved, which I think is always good."