David Coulthard has proposed that adding a sprint race to the Spanish Grand Prix weekend could inject more excitement into the new Madring circuit, following F1’s decision to introduce a sprint for the first time at the 2027 Monaco Grand Prix.
Discussing the recently announced 2027 F1 calendar—which now features 10 sprint races, including at Monaco—Coulthard said on the Up To Speed podcast that the sprint format could be particularly beneficial for tracks where overtaking is a challenge. “Monaco has been added as a sprint on a circuit where there’s very little overtaking. It will mean more entertainment. So that probably would have been a good thing in Madrid if we had a sprint there as well,” he explained.
The inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at Madring, held on September 13, replaced the long-standing Barcelona-Catalunya venue under a new 10-year contract. While anticipation was high, the new event drew criticism for limited overtaking opportunities. “A grand prix, you feel the achievement… Monaco as a sprint will be more entertaining. Madrid could benefit from the same,” said Coulthard.
He contrasted today’s race-heavy schedule with the test-heavy approach from his own career: “We were doing 100,000 kilometres in testing… it was exhausting and there was no reward at the end of it other than job satisfaction.”
In this year’s Madrid race, McLaren’s Lando Norris took pole and led early before losing the advantage during a virtual safety car period, allowing championship leader Kimi Antonelli to claim his eighth win of the season.
With Monaco set for a sprint and ongoing debate about the Madring’s racing spectacle, Coulthard’s suggestion is sure to spark conversation about how to keep F1 events fresh and engaging.
