P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The story behind Shanghai’s "painted" F1 track surprise
FIA had not informed about any resurfacing prior to the event, leading to confusion among drivers due to the worn-out racing line resembling painted asphalt.
Daniel Ricciardo expressed surprise at the track’s appearance, mentioning it may affect tire behavior.
Other drivers like Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz also raised concerns about the unusual track surface’s impact on their performance during the limited practice time before sprint qualifying.
The track had undergone a bitumen surface treatment common in the United States and Asia to improve grip and durability.
This treatment, resembling painted asphalt, is expected to wear off during the F1 weekend, potentially causing inconsistent grip levels around the circuit.
Drivers and teams are preparing for a challenging weekend with unknown track conditions and limited practice time to adjust their cars accordingly.
