Chinese Grand Prix could deliver drama to Formula 1 and slow Verstappen’s victory march, with track ‘like driving on ice’
- Shanghai International Circuit has only recently been resurfaced and tyre supplier Pirelli says it wasn’t made fully aware of the changes
- Practise was limited to one session on Friday, and sprint qualifying through up some surprises
The Chinese Grand Prix could deliver some much-needed drama to Formula One, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen cannot be pencilled in as the almost-certain winner on Sunday.
It’s also the season’s first weekend with a sprint race, which means Friday’s practise session was the only one. Lando Norris of McLaren went on to secure the pole for Saturday’s sprint race, running in a rainy qualifying session with drivers struggling to control their cars.
That included Verstappen, who said it had been very difficult to keep the car on track.
“The car never really switched on for me and it was like driving on ice, which is why I think we deserved where we finished in sprint,” the three-time world champion said.
Verstappen has won 22 of the past 26 Grand Prix and three of the first four this season. Only brake failure in Australia kept him from a 100 per cent start to the season, but the fifth race might prove a challenge even for the Dutchman.
“It’s got the probability of throwing up quite a few variables and, perhaps, some unexpected results,” Red Bull principal Christian Horner said Friday. “I think it’s going to be all action.”