The Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, has raised concerns about the introduction of the first sprint races of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix. The Dutchman shares his worries as no races have been held at the Shanghai International Circuit since 2019. It is also unsure how the teams and drivers will adjust to the circuit’s aspects with the lack of recent racing at Shanghai.
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The Chinese Grand Prix is scheduled as the fifth racecourse on the 2024 calendar. After five years, the Shanghai circuit is making a comeback to Formula 1. Since the pandemic that affected the entire world, china has not hosted a race since then. it is also one of the iconic circuits that has witnessed some great battles between the drivers.
“I think it’s not great, let’s say it like that, to do that, Because when you have been away from a track for quite a while, you never know what you’re going to experience, right? So it would have been better to have a normal race weekend there,” Verstappen says.
The Dutchman, who has been ruling the racecourse for the last three years, expressed his concerns over the return of Sprint Weekend following Red Bull’s 1-2 podium finish at the Japanese Grand Prix.
“Purely from a driving perspective, performance perspective of the sport, it’s not the smartest thing to do. But we’ll see what we get there. I think it’s not a good choice to put the sprint after four or five years of absence,” he added.
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Sprint Race at the Chinese Grand Prix
Sprint races are shorter races that cover about one-third of the circuit and last over 30 minutes without any pitstops as it is too short for a tire change. Two of the three practice sessions are canceled for a sprint Weekend, which takes place before qualifying. Unlike free practice the sprint race offers extra points, which makes it even more exciting and interesting for the drivers and the team.
The idea of sprint races are exciting and interesting. Still, Verstappen’s concerns about the circuit is a reminder that innovation should be approached carefully, with careful consideration which can impact on teams, drivers, and the sport.
Fiza is a writer at The Sports Orbit, focusing on F1 coverage. She is currently pursuing her master’s in broadcasting journalism and has a profound love for motorsports. She finds F1 to be the most engaging among others due to its adrenaline rush. She got interested in the sport after watching an F1 race with her brother and uncle, and she’s been hooked ever since. Her favorite team is Mercedes and she is a fan of Lewis Hamilton. Besides her dedication to F1, she enjoys activities like reading, practicing her calligraphy skills, and experimenting with cooking.
