The first sprint race is scheduled for the next Formula 1 race. In two days the F1 circus will travel to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix. Many drivers find it inconvenient that the first sprint race of the season is held there.

And the reason for that is actually very simple. Formula 1 has not been to China for a while due to the strict corona measures in place there. Many drivers are no longer used to driving there and therefore have to get into the car after one free practice session for qualifying for the sprint race.

The sprint race is then scheduled for Saturday morning, followed by qualifying for the race on Sunday. “There are many overtaking opportunities, so from that point of view it makes sense that there is a sprint race,” Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz told De Telegraaf .

But: “Especially with the current cars and rules, just one bump on the circuit can be treacherous. Then it is not wise to plan a sprint race after years of absence. I also understood that new asphalt is being laid, so there is “There is a lot of uncertainty. It can be a spectacle for the people at home, but in my opinion you should not take this risk.”

‘A lot to do’

Sergio Pérez, teammate of Max Verstappen at Red Bull, indicates that he has never driven a Red Bull on the circuit in Shanghai. “So we’ll probably have a lot to do in the one training session.”

Verstappen responds to this. He says that drivers never fully know what they might experience if they haven’t driven for years. That’s why he thought a normal race weekend would be better in China. : “It’s probably meant to shake things up a bit, because that’s what ‘they’ want to see. But from the driver and performance side, it’s not the best thing to do.”