F1 track confirms future plans after major shakeup reports and heavy criticism

Ears began to prick up in the F1 world this week when reports started coming out of Spain that next year's Spanish Grand Prix could be moved to a night-time start.

Spanish newspaper El Confidencial reported on Thursday that a move was being considered which would make the event the first F1 night race ever held in Europe.

However, when asked about the reports of an application to move to a night-time start, a Madring spokesperson expressed some confusion at the suggestion and told GPFans: "No, at this stage, we are still a daytime race and the schedule remains the same."

There are widely expected to be some tweaks considered for the track layout after complaints from both drivers and fans about a lack of overtaking leading to a somewhat processional race.

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Fans expected changes to 2027 Madring experience

Fans can also expect a better experience at the hybrid street circuit next year, after complaints about seating conditions and availability, with some spectators having to simply sit on the dirt.

One complaint a night race might've helped with was the heat, with fans out in 30 degree temperatures with little shade at some parts of the track, although the relative lack of humidity meant that the drivers didn't struggle too much on track.

It's unclear whether F1 would approve the switch to a night-time race in any case, historically preferring to start racing in the early-mid afternoon for the European market.

A particularly vocal ground of locals also campaigned heavily against the race in the weeks and months building up to it, protesting noise pollution and other related issues. It's easy to imagine those same groups being less than thrilled by the number of floodlights it takes to illuminate a 5.4km racing track to be fit for drivers to speed around it at 200mph.

Drivers take issue with Madring layout after inaugural race

Gabriel Bortoleto joked after the race that he 'nearly fell asleep' during it, while Arvid Lindblad admitted it 'wasn't the most exciting' and Lando Norris infamously said: "I don't know how someone looks at this design and goes, mint!"

Even race ambassador Carlos Sainz talked about some safety concerns with the track, saying: "Same as in Jeddah and Baku, it's poor. But it seems like the FIA is happy to go in this direction moving forward in terms of new circuits, which obviously, as drivers, we are raising our...not concerns – but our point of wanting to keep improving safety.

"We're going to go towards these circuits because going at 260km/h, 270km/h on esses that you cannot see through is definitely eye-opening and definitely makes you question how safe everything is."

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