Nineteen red flags on the very first FIA Formula 3 test runs — that was the chaos with which Madrid's new 20-turn street circuit introduced itself to the motorsport world. This racing arena, which replaces Barcelona on the calendar and threads its way around the IFEMA entertainment complex close to Real Madrid's training base, will host a Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first time. Ferrari have already shot promotional footage there, yet the test results expose a genuine danger. Drivers will have to tear up their driving style and start again. Chaos is unavoidable. Across 5,474 metres of narrow corridors, nobody is forgiven a mistake. The organisers are offering the standard three-day format, yet this race will turn any tactical plan on its head. The championship marathon gets under way on 13 September with the 57-lap main race, and the smallest slip could cost a driver a heavy meeting with the wall.
