Drivers view race in China with skepticism / Formula 1

After a four-year break due to Corona, Formula 1 will return to China in two weeks. For the race to run – and a big question mark about what condition the track will be after a long break.

The first race of the season will be held in Shanghai – on a track that no Formula 1 car has run on for four years. Challenge: On a race weekend, the time to set up the car is very short.

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen says of the decision to race in China: “I think it’s not good. If you haven’t used the trail in a while, you won’t know what to expect. It would probably be better to have a normal race weekend there. But on the other hand, maybe it makes things more interesting. Maybe that’s what they’d like to see. But from the point of view of driving and in the spirit of game performance, I don’t think it’s the most reasonable solution. However, he insists that China is the route that he really likes.

His teammate Sergio Pérez adds: “I just hope that there is no problem with the track, that is, with storm drains or something like that. That would throw us out of rhythm. But the sprint will probably be good for the show. But it will certainly be difficult to prepare. For example, I have never driving Red Bull before.”

True. Formula 1 has changed a lot since its last visit to China in April 2019. Podium in Shanghai 2019, for example: Lewis Hamilton wins in Mercedes ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas. Sebastian Vettel finished third in a Ferrari. It’s been a long time…

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who finished third in Japan, says this about the sprint: “It’s two different topics. China as a race track is great and one of our favorite tracks that offers great overtaking opportunities. That’s why sprint makes sense there. But we said in the driver’s briefing that for this type of car it is not a good option to do a sprint there after being away for several years, so you can practice for an hour before entering the qualifying. This also involves wearing the floor plates and fixing the bumps, which is a challenge for just one hour and without knowing the conditions.

Sainz adds: “It also means that a new asphalt has been built, so there could be an Istanbul 2.0, even if I don’t hope so.”

What the Spaniard means: When we drove to Turkey again in 2021 after a break of several years in the Corona emergency calendar, new asphalt had been laid there. Meaning: The pilots did not hold the reins a bit. Lewis Hamilton called the track “ice skating” at the time.

Just two weeks before returning to China, one thing is clear: it will certainly be an exciting return.

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round

outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0