For new cars: bumps removed in China / Formula 1

What exactly can Formula 1 teams expect at the Shanghai circuit? The break of four calendar years – five years after the last race, the first class of athletics returns to Jiading near the Chinese capital of Shanghai. The state that the track awaits the team is the subject of speculation in the paddock.

According to Motorsport-Magazin.com, there will not be a complete overhaul of the track. Instead, several ridges were removed. Under the direction of the route architect Hermann Tilke, the asphalt was removed in certain areas and ensured that the surface there was not too bad.

Reason for the cautious move: When Formula 1 last visited in 2019, the track had severe restrictions – with new cars in effect from 2022, these will be a problem. A new tarmac is planned before the 2025 Grand Prix, but only after the 2024 Grand Prix.
So one thing is clear: there is no completely new asphalt (and possibly glass-smooth), as some feared.

However, even without the new asphalt, the overall situation is largely unknown: When Formula 1 raced last time in Shanghai, not only was the aerodynamic concept of the cars different, the tires were also different (13 instead of 18 inches). There are only 60 minutes of practice time on a sprint weekend.

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur said after the Suzuka race: “I think it will be difficult, but it will be for everyone because we are in the same situation.”

In addition to the roughness of the pitch, the Frenchman also mentions the weather as a major question mark: cold weather, possibly rain, is expected this year.

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), Bulls Racing, +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