Lewis Hamilton Slams New F1 Tracks: ‘90% Are Worse Than the Classics’

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton isn’t exactly one to stay silent when it comes to the direction the sport is taking, and once again, he’s got some thoughts. This time, he’s voicing concern over Formula 1’s growing shift away from iconic, time-honored circuits in favor of flashy, brand-new venues that haven’t yet proven themselves.

Ahead of the 2026 season, Hamilton’s critique feels especially timely. That year, Madrid will officially take over the Spanish Grand Prix, ending Barcelona’s decades-long run as the host. And for Hamilton? That’s a problem.

Why Lewis Hamilton Prefers Classic F1 Circuits Over New Additions Like Madrid

Lewis Hamilton isn’t necessarily anti-change, but he’s not pulling punches either. He argues that the newer circuits, many of them designed from scratch and packed into urban centers, just don’t deliver the same quality of racing. “More than 90% of the time,” he says, they miss the mark.

He’s talking about the kind of thrilling, edge-of-your-seat competition that made fans fall in love with the sport in the first place. And when you’ve only got 24 races on the calendar each year, every slot taken by a newcomer means a classic like Barcelona or Imola could get pushed out, or worse, vanish altogether.

Why He’s Not Sold On Madrid

Hamilton gave Madrid its due, calling it a “great location.” But he’s skeptical. The new street circuit, he suggests, will have to work hard to come anywhere close to what it’s replacing. Barcelona, after all, isn’t just another race track; it’s “the home of Formula 1 in Spain,” as Hamilton puts it. It’s where Spanish fans have built decades of memories, not to mention the track’s deep ties to legends like Fernando Alonso.

It’s that heritage, and the gritty, unpredictable nature of the old circuits, that Hamilton doesn’t want to see lost in the shuffle.

The Classics Still Matter

There’s something different about Spain. About Monaco. About Silverstone and Suzuka. These are places where elevation shifts, tight turns, and the occasional downpour can throw everything into chaos, and that’s part of the appeal. You can’t just cruise through them; you have to earn it. That’s why Hamilton and a sizable chunk of the F1 community keep coming back to the same point. New does not always mean better.

Walking the Tightrope: Growth vs. Soul

To be fair, Formula 1 is not trying to ruin the party. The sport’s leaders are trying to balance tradition with a desire to expand, grow the audience, hit new markets, and modernize the brand. In 2026, for example, the calendar will kick off in Australia and wrap with a high-octane triple-header in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Madrid is taking over Spain’s slot in September, while Monaco shifts to June and Canada to May, all in the name of sustainability.

It’s clear: F1 is going global. But there’s a cost. And Lewis Hamilton’s concern is that we’re paying with the sport’s identity. New venues in places like Jeddah, Miami, and Vegas might be good for the glitz, but many fans and drivers feel they lack the character and the challenge that defined F1 in its golden eras.

What the Fans (and Experts) Are Saying

Lewis Hamilton’s opinion isn’t just a lone voice in the wind. Fans and pundits alike have echoed his thoughts. Too many of the new tracks feel more like marketing campaigns than racing venues. Sure, they’re pretty to look at. But are they exciting to race on? That’s up for debate.

There’s a real difference between a circuit that tests a driver’s instincts and one that looks good on a postcard. People miss the grit. The unpredictability. The soul of old-school F1.

Lewis Hamilton’s Message To Formula 1

In the end, Lewis Hamilton’s message is simple. He’s not against innovation. He’s not against bringing new fans into the fold. But if Formula 1 is going to swap out the old for the new, those new tracks better bring something special to the table.

Because once you start tossing aside the heart and history of the sport, you risk becoming something shiny but hollow. And no one, least of all the drivers, wants that.