Formula 1 street circuits face new questions after Monaco and Madrid problems

Formula 1's street circuits are facing scrutiny following distinct issues at the Monaco and Madrid Grands Prix during the 2026 season. In Monaco, the asphalt around the final corner began to break apart, forcing a late red flag so organizers could inspect and secure the track surface. The incident disrupted the race and raised concerns over the quality of previous resurfacing work on the street circuit.

Three months later, the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix highlighted a different issue, focusing on overtaking and circuit design. While the new Madring circuit layout was demanding during qualifying, drivers noted that it offered very few genuine overtaking opportunities during the race. The contrasting issues highlight the difficulty of adapting public roads to handle the extreme demands of modern Formula 1 cars.