F1 News: Drivers Warn of Chinese Grand Prix Issues - 'Not a Good Idea'

After a four-year hiatus, Formula 1 returns to China, but the drivers express significant concerns about the sprint weekend format and the circuit's readiness. Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and Carlos Sainz have voiced their apprehensions about the challenges they anticipate facing.

Key Takeaways

• Formula 1 drivers express concerns about the sprint weekend format and new track conditions at the Chinese Grand Prix, highlighting issues such as limited data on current car performance and potential circuit problems like loose manhole covers.
• Max Verstappen criticizes the organization for lack of prior experience on the circuit with current F1 cars, while Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz voice worries about the physical state of the track and reduced practice time.
• Carlos Sainz draws parallels to the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, fearing low grip levels due to new asphalt, and emphasizes the risks associated with such changes, advocating for a standard race weekend to ensure safety and proper preparation.

Formula 1's much-anticipated return to the Chinese Grand Prix has been met with skepticism and worry from some of the sport's top drivers. The event, scheduled as a sprint weekend, marks the first race on the Shanghai International Circuit with the current generation of F1 machinery. This change has brought forth a unique set of challenges, particularly because of the drivers' unfamiliarity with how these cars will perform on the newly resurfaced track.

Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, has openly criticized the organization of the sprint weekend in China. His primary concern revolves around the lack of prior data and experience with the current F1 cars on this particular circuit.

“When you have been away from a track for quite a while, I think you never know what you’re going to experience, right? So it would have been better to have a normal race weekend there. On the other hand, it probably spices things up a bit more, and that’s maybe what they would like to see. But purely from a driving perspective, the performance perspective of the sport, I think it’s not the smartest thing to do.

"We’ll see what we get there. I always loved driving there so hopefully we can hit the ground running as well as we can, and hopefully we don’t need to fine-tune too many things on the car.”

Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull, shares similar concerns but from a different angle. While he understands the rationale behind choosing a sprint format for the Chinese Grand Prix, he is particularly worried about the physical condition of the circuit. This concern is not unfounded, as issues like loose manhole covers have previously disrupted races in other venues such as Las Vegas and Bahrain.

"I especially hope that there will be no problems with the circuit, with manhole covers or things like that. That will put us quite out of position," said Perez. "It will certainly be good for the show, but with a view to the preparation, this will be a very difficult one. I have never driven there with Red Bull, for example. We have to do a lot of work in just one free practice."

Carlos Sainz of Ferrari also chimed in with his perspectives, balancing his appreciation for the track's popularity among drivers with serious reservations about the new conditions. He pointed out that the circuit's resurfacing could lead to a repeat of the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, where new asphalt resulted in extremely low grip levels, exacerbated by wet conditions.

"It is a circuit where overtaking is good, so in that respect, it makes sense to organize a sprint weekend here. But as we discussed earlier during the briefing, it is not a good idea to complete qualifying with these cars with only one hour of training to enter," said Sainz. "With the regulations as they are, for example regarding the wear of the floorboard, one bump can be very tricky. We have also heard that the circuit is being resurfaced, so we may be dealing with a kind of Turkey 2.0."

Sainz summed up his thoughts with a note on the inherent risks:

"I hope not, but it does show the uncertainty. Maybe it is exciting for the people at home, but I don't think we should take this risk and have a normal weekend."