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Verstappen struggles at Madrid street circuit ahead of Spanish GP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished sixth in second practice at the Madrid street circuit, expressing dissatisfaction with the track layout ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

LSN Singapore · 11 September 2026

Verstappen struggles at Madrid street circuit ahead of Spanish GP

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen appears to have found little to like about the Madrid street track during Friday's second practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, finishing in sixth position as teams continued their pre-race preparations.

The three-time world champion's performance on the circuit raises questions about Red Bull's competitiveness at the new venue, which has replaced the traditional race format. Street circuits often present unique challenges for teams and drivers, requiring different setups and driving techniques compared to permanent race courses.

With qualifying and the main race still to come, Verstappen will be looking to improve his position on the Madrid layout. The second practice session results provide only an initial snapshot of competitive order, as teams typically make substantial adjustments to their vehicles between sessions.

The Spanish Grand Prix remains a significant fixture on the Formula One calendar, and the introduction of a street circuit configuration adds a fresh element to the weekend's schedule. Other teams' performances in the session will become clearer as the weekend progresses and drivers accumulate more track time on the challenging urban circuit.