SHANGHAI – Formula One returns to China for the first time in five years this week with a packed programme including a Saturday sprint race, but not everyone is happy with the Shanghai schedule.
Championship leader Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz were among those who have expressed doubts about having limited practice on a resurfaced circuit that is unknown to the current specification of Formula One cars.
China’s closed borders during the pandemic meant the Shanghai International Circuit – which hosted a Covid-19 hospital two years ago – has not had a grand prix since April 2019.
And because of that, it could be bumpier than before.
This weekend has just 60 minutes of free practice on April 19 morning ahead of sprint qualifying, leaving drivers fearful about the lack of preparation.
“I think it’s not great,” said Red Bull’s three-time world champion Verstappen about F1’s choice of China as the first of the season’s six sprint venues.
“When you have been away from a track for quite a while, you never know what you’re going to experience.
“It would have been better to have a normal race weekend. But on the other hand, it probably spices things up a bit more, and that’s maybe what they would like to see.”
There will be at least one contented face in the paddock – Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu will be driving in front of his own fans for the first time in F1.
Shanghai-born Zhou was a five-year-old spectator at the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in 2004.
“I couldn’t be more excited to finally race on home soil in Shanghai,” said the 24-year-old, who drove an F2 car for Renault at the circuit in 2019 before stepping up to F1 in 2022.
“To be the first Chinese driver ever to compete in Formula One in China means a lot to me. It fills me with immense joy, pride and responsibility. I have fulfilled my dream.”
The sprint weekend schedule has changed this season, with Shanghai’s 19-lap sprint race on April 20 morning followed by main qualifying in its normal afternoon slot to determine the grid for the 56-lap race on April 21.
Verstappen has won three out of the four grands prix this season with Sainz taking the chequered flag in the other, in Melbourne. The Spaniard too has concerns about this weekend.
“I think it’s going to be a tough weekend for everyone. With how tricky one bump could make the car, I think it’s not a good choice to choose to put the sprint after four or five years’ absence,” said Sainz.
“Maybe for people watching at home it’s exciting, but for engineers and drivers, it’s something that, in my opinion, we shouldn’t take the risk and (we should) have a normal weekend.”
Mercedes were previously the dominant force on the 5.451km Shanghai circuit, winning six times from 2012. But the Silver Arrows have struggled again this season.
Both Lewis Hamilton, who won the 2019 Shanghai race, and George Russell failed to finish in Melbourne and in the last race, the Japanese GP, they were ninth and seventh respectively.
It was a Red Bull one-two at Suzuka and Mercedes were also well beaten by both Ferraris, with the McLaren of Lando Norris and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso finishing ahead of Russell as well.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Sainz look the most likely to challenge the dominance of Verstappen and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez again this weekend.
Leclerc said Ferrari’s race pace was not the issue – it was qualifying they needed to improve on.
“We’ve had some difficulties putting the tyres in the right window on the out laps in qualifying,” said the Monegasque.
“So we really have to focus on that to make sure we can put it all together in China.” AFP, REUTERS
