The atmosphere at the start/finish straight circuit is bustling. It’s April 18, 2024, and the Formula 1 World Championship is in full swing. The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai is about to begin, but there is something peculiar about the track preparation that has caught the attention of several drivers.
According to Motorsport.com, the Shanghai International Circuit underwent a unique treatment on the asphalt surface last season before returning to the F1 calendar. The bitumen is a liquid binder that is applied to the asphalt surface to act as a sealant, protecting it against dust, contaminants, and erosion.
As a result of this treatment, when the F1 drivers and teams arrived at the venue, they were greeted with sections of the Shanghai circuit that appeared to have been painted. Daniel Ricciardo expressed his surprise, saying, “It looks like they painted the track or something. They did something to the surface. I don’t know how the track will change, or if it will be the same or super slippery. But maybe this will change the behavior of the tires.”
Carlos Sainz also noted the unusual nature of the track surface, saying, “I think there are many unknowns, especially the asphalt seems to have been treated in a very particular way. It certainly looks very particular and something we haven’t recently encountered on F1 circuits.”
The track is not consistent throughout its length, with some sections appearing lighter than others due to the gradual wear of the bitumen sealant. This variation in grip levels poses an additional challenge for both drivers and engineers as they navigate the Shanghai circuit.
Recently, F1 faced similar grip issues when returning to a circuit after a hiatus. Sainz does not expect a repeat of the race in Istanbul in 2020, but warns that the emergence of surface wear could lead to uncertainties in tire choice for the weekend.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu shares his concerns about the inconsistency of the asphalt surface treatment. He states: “I think it looks a bit inconsistent. This inconsistency is what concerns me the most – the inconsistency from entry to mid-corner to exit in each turn. If it’s variable, that will be quite complicated. Also, it’s a sprint weekend. You only have one hour, probably three races to adjust your car, both with low and high fuel. I think it will be a very difficult challenge.”
Despite Red Bull’s dominance in recent races, with little competition at the top, the unique surface of the track and limited practice time before the sprint weekend could lead to surprising results. It’s a headache for the drivers and engineers, but an exciting prospect for the fans.
