The Formula One World Championship returns to China for the first time in five years, with the fifth round being held at the Shanghai Circuit and witnessing a crowded program that includes the Sprint race on Saturday, but some drivers expressed their disappointment at the limited time available to them to do some tests on the track, whose roads have been resurfaced.
Championship leader Dutch Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and his Spanish Ferrari counterpart Carlos Sainz were among those who expressed doubts about the time scheduled for practice on a re-paved track unknown to the current specifications of Formula One cars.
The closure of China’s borders during the Covid epidemic has meant that the Shanghai International Circuit has not hosted a Grand Prix since April 2019, when the race was won by Britain’s Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes and his former Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas came second.
The weekend includes only 60 minutes of free practice on Friday morning before qualifying for the sprint race, leaving drivers concerned about a lack of preparation.
Three-time world champion Verstappen said, “I think it’s not great” regarding Formula One choosing China as the first track to hold the first of the six Sprint races this season.
“When you’re off the track for a long time, you never know what you’re going to experience,” added Verstappen, who has never won in China.
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