The atmosphere at the circuit on the start/finish straight is buzzing. It’s the 18th of April, 2024, and the Formula 1 World Championship is in full swing. The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai is about to kick off, but there’s 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 bitumen surface treatment last season before its return to the F1 calendar. Bitumen is a liquid binder that is applied to the asphalt surface to act as a sealant, protecting it from 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 over. Daniel Ricciardo expressed his surprise, saying, “It looks like they’ve painted the track or something. They’ve done something to the surface. I don’t know how the track’s going to change, or if it’s going to be the same or super slippery. But maybe that changes the way the tyres behave.”
Carlos Sainz also noted the unusual nature of the track surface, saying, “I think there are many unknowns, especially the tarmac looks like it’s been treated in a very particular way. It certainly looks very particular, and something we haven’t found recently at F1 circuits.”
The track is not consistent throughout, with some sections appearing clearer than others due to the gradual wearing down of the bitumen sealant. This variation in grip levels poses an additional challenge for both drivers and engineers as they navigate the Shanghai layout.
In recent times, F1 has faced similar grip level issues when returning to a circuit after a hiatus. Sainz doesn’t expect a repeat of the Istanbul race in 2020 but warns that the emergence of graining on the track surface could lead to uncertainties in tire choices for the weekend.
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu shares his concerns about the inconsistency of the bitumen track surfacing. He states, “I think it looks a bit inconsistent. That inconsistency is what I worry about the most – the inconsistency from entry to mid-corner to exit in each corner. If it’s variable, that’s going to be pretty tricky. Then, of course, it’s a sprint weekend. You have only got one hour, probably three runs to sort your car, both low and high fuel. I think it’s going to be a very tough challenge.”
Despite Red Bull’s dominance in recent races, with little competition at the top, the unique track surface and limited practice time before the Sprint weekend could lead to surprising results. It’s a headache for drivers and engineers, but an exciting prospect for fans.