Shanghai GP 2024: Ahead of first sprint weekend of season F1 drivers express concern over track behavior in China

As Formula 1 set to make a strong comeback in China F1 drivers have expressed fear of uncertainty in Shanghai. As the race weekend approaches many drivers have started challenging the planning of the week. Firstly the questions were asked over the Sprint race as it will force only one practice session.

Now, The latest reason that triggered drivers and teams to voice is the use of bitumen paint to adjust the track in some sections. The drivers and constructors are in fear of uncertainty and how cars will react to these paints. Speaking about it Lando Norris expressed his caution about the track. He said, “I have no idea, I think we just have to wait and see. It's something new something new that I don't think we've seen before so [it's] hard to predict exactly what's going to happen.”

Echoing Norris’ comments Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc also called it a difficulty. “I think also it depends a lot on the type of paint they use, that could cause different issues or have no issues at all - I hope it's the latter that will be the case”, says Leclerc.

“But for now, it's very difficult to predict. I have only seen pictures; I haven't gone around the track yet. I don't think it's the same everywhere, which might not be great. But before adding further comments I think we just have to drive and see how it feels”, he further added.

Rain might play a big role!

Apart from these man-made problems, there is a natural rain forecast too. The weekend is expected to receive light to moderate rain on sprint and racing days. Speaking about this Alpine’s Esteban Ocon admitted that it will make things more complicated.

He said, “I haven't been around, just saw pictures for the moment. It could be slippery in the wet, it could be a very high grip - we can't tell until we try. A long time ago in our go-kart days, there was sort of paint put on tracks and you used to put down rubber and keep rubber a lot in corners that had a lot of grip. I don't expect that to be the case but it could do a lot of different things.”

Australian driver Oscar Piastri also expressed his concerns as he called it a wet track. “I don't know if it will be grippy or not,” the Australian declared. “I think if it's wet, it'll be a big unknown. But you can kind of see where the cars have driven on it at track days or whatever, it's kind of worn away the blackness.

“It looks more like just an older track because it doesn't look resurfaced. It just looks like it's had some bits ground away and then painted over the top. I'm sure it's not going to be super slippery but it might just be a bit might behave a bit differently from what we're used to”, he further added.