Drivers surprised by the Shanghai track

This is the subject that has fueled conversations at the beginning of the race weekend. No information in the FIA’s pre-event notes about any resurfacing. However, the color of the tarmac has already deteriorated in places on the racing line.

Some drivers were left perplexed during the traditional track walk. “It looks like they painted the track or something like that. They did something to the surface,” said Daniel Ricciardo.

« I don’t know how the track will change, if it will be the same or if it will be very slippery. But maybe it will change the behavior of the tires. » And Ricciardo was not the only driver wondering what would be the impact this weekend, where teams are aware that there is only one hour of practice before the start of the sprint qualifying.

The world champion Max Verstappen said he had never seen anything like it since his karting years, when efforts were made to improve grip on old tracks. “It looks like they painted it, not redone,” said the Red Bull driver.

Carlos Sainz explained that the situation had left the drivers and the team a little confused. “I think there are a lot of unknowns, especially the tarmac which seems to have been treated in a very particular way. I don’t think the FIA or the teams really understand what has been done here. Whether it’s a complete redesign or just a strange treatment of the asphalt on the track.”

« This certainly looks very different, and it’s something we haven’t seen on F1 circuits recently,” the Spaniard continued.

Paint to prepare the track

Research has been conducted by the media Autosport. Even though the track appears to have been painted, it is actually a surface treatment of the asphalt commonly used on roads in the United States and Asia. The asphalt is applied in a fluid form on the track surface to facilitate bonding with the existing circuit surface. The idea is that it helps to eliminate dust, improves waterproofing, and also prevents track disintegration.

It is said that this work was done last year and that the various colors around the track are the result of the treatment that has been worn out by the track races that have taken place since. The way it is treated means that it will probably be worn out further during the F1 weekend, which could open the door to different levels of grip around certain parts of the track.

Ayao Komatsu, director of the Haas team, said, « I think this seems a bit inconsistent. This inconsistency is what worries me the most, the inconsistency from entry to the middle of the turn to the exit in each turn. If it’s variable, it’s going to be quite tricky. Then, of course, it’s a sprint weekend. You only have one hour, probably three laps to get the car out, whether with or without fuel. I think it will be a very difficult challenge »,” he said.

Same thing as in Turkey?

The appearance of the dark surface layer inevitably brought back memories of Turkey 2020, when teams and drivers were taken aback by a noticeable lack of grip on a newly resurfaced surface.

But Sainz is rather convinced that things will not be so dramatic. “I have the feeling that it will not be like in Turkey. Turkey was a very particular case. But if suddenly there is graining and all that, it could call into question your choices for the rest of the weekend.”