Sainz Warns Against Risks Of Chinese Grand Prix Weekend: 'Istanbul 2.0'
F1
Carlos Sainz warned against problems that might arise during the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix weekend, saying, "We shouldn't take the risk."
After a one-week break following the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, Formula 1 is back in action, this time in China. Interestingly, the last time F1 drivers raced at Shanghai International Circuit was in 2019.
Many drivers like the track in Shanghai, as it offers great opportunities for overtaking. Carlos Sainz told the media that it is probably on most drivers' favorite lists.
"I think there are two different topics. I think China as a race circuit is a great one. I think it's one of our favourite ones for everyone."
"It's just a great racing track and a track that offers a good possibility to overtake, so a Sprint makes sense to have it there."
However, the fact that F1 hasn't been in China for five years means there are many unknowns, which multiple drivers, including Max Verstappen, highlighted. Sainz said:
"It's what we said in the drivers' briefing, we say to FIA and Formula 1, with these kind of cars to go to a track with one hour of practice and straight into qualifying, with the regulations that they put us, with the plank wear and things like this, and how tricky one bump could make the car, I think it's not a good choice to choose to put the Sprint after four or five years absence."
The fact that drivers and their teams will only have one practice session ahead of the race will make everything much more challenging for them and can lead to mistakes.
But it might make the weekend more interesting for those watching, as the pecking order could potentially be reshuffled based on who gets the setup right.
The Spanish Ferrari driver identified one more potential problem related to the recent resurfacing of the Shanghai International Circuit.
The 29-year-old remembered the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, held shortly after the track resurfacing at Istanbul Park circuit. The track was consequently unusually slippery, which led to unpredictable and potentially dangerous driving conditions. Sainz added:
"We also heard there's been resurfacing going on, so Istanbul 2.0 maybe on the cards! Yeah, I hope not. So yeah, it just shows the uncertainty."
"Maybe for you guys at home it's exciting, but for engineers and drivers, it's something that for me, in my opinion, we shouldn't take the risk and have a normal weekend."
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