Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, representing Red Bull Racing, competed in the Chinese Grand Prix’s Sprint Qualifying Day on April 19, 2024. The first session of Sprint Qualifying was affected by rain, which continued into the final top-10 shootout. Verstappen compared the track conditions to driving on ice at the Shanghai International Circuit. He will start in fourth place for the China Sprint, behind pole-sitter Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen, known for his proficiency in wet weather, struggled during the Sprint Qualifying. He went wide at Turn 6 and 16 in the wet conditions. The unpredictable weather disrupted the expected form book, as Verstappen was considered the favorite before the on-track action. Despite the challenges, Verstappen managed to post the fourth-fastest time.
The Dutch driver described the track as incredibly slippery and had difficulty getting the temperature in the tires. He likened the experience to driving on ice. Verstappen acknowledged that his performance in the wet was not up to par, but expressed confidence in his abilities in dry conditions.
With only one practice session before the rain-affected Sprint Qualifying, there are still many uncertainties heading into the Saturday morning Sprint. Despite starting from the second row, Verstappen believes there will still be opportunities to achieve a strong result in the race.
The peculiar Bitumen track detailing in Shanghai, which offers limited grip, adds to the challenge of the Sprint race. Verstappen emphasized that the behavior of the tires will play a significant role in determining the race order. Starting on the inside of the track is not ideal due to lower grip, particularly with the painted areas on the tarmac. Verstappen aims to make the best start possible and anticipates an interesting race with a long stint on one set of tires.