A peculiar track resurfacing at the Shanghai International Circuit ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix has raised questions among several drivers.
Motorsport.com has reported that a bitumen surface treatment had been applied to the Shanghai circuit at some point last term ahead of its return to the F1 calendar.
Bitumen is a liquid binder applied to the surface of asphalt to act as a sealant, preventing dust, containments and erosion of the road surface.
The net result is that F1 drivers and teams were met with portions of the Shanghai circuit that appeared to have been painted over upon their arrival at the venue.
“It looks like they’ve painted the track or something,” Daniel Ricciardo said. “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 added: “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.”
There are portions of the track that look clearer than others, where running since the Bitumen sealant was applied has gradually worn the treatment down.
This has raised concerns of varying grip levels throughout the Shanghai layout, which will present an extra challenge to drivers and engineers alike.
F1 is no stranger in recent times to find grip level issues upon a return to a circuit following an absence, as happened when Istanbul deputised on the roster in 2020.
Sainz predicts that it won’t be a repeat of that weekend, but warned that the emergence of graining “could throw some question marks on choices for the weekend”.
However, Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu shared his worries regarding the Bitumen track surfacing not being consistent all around the 5.451-kilometre circuit.
“I think it looks a bit inconsistent,” he said.
“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 the form book being pretty consistent in F1 at late with Red Bull largely unopposed at the top of the pecking order, a single hour of practice on a peculiar track surface before going full tilt into a Sprint weekend could conjure a surprise result.
It’s a headache for drivers and engineers but an enticing prospect for fans.
