Formula 1 is returning to Shanghai after not racing there since 2019. This year’s race is unique because it’s the first time the new ground effect cars will be on the track.
The current F1 cars are more sensitive to bumps, and Shanghai’s track often has them because it’s built on swampy land. To avoid any issues, repairs have been made to remove bumps from different parts of the track.
Shanghai worked with Herman Tilke’s company to fix areas of concern after an inspection by the FIA last year. Despite these efforts, F1 teams are unsure about the track’s surface because there’s little data available.
Adding to the challenge, it’s a sprint race weekend, so teams have only one practice session before qualifying on Saturday.
Simone Berra, Pirelli’s Formula 1 chief engineer, compared the situation to racing on a new track because of the lack of recent use. The track will be cleaned, but it’s still uncertain how it has changed over the years.
Shanghai officials are also building new grandstands for the sold-out crowd, but some won’t be ready for this year’s race.
