P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The first Sprint Qualifying session of the year was impacted by rain just before the end of the SQ2 session,
Max Verstappen will start the China Sprint race in fourth place, behind Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso who secured pole position. Despite being a wet-weather specialist, Verstappen struggled to find grip on the slippery track due to rain, resulting in a challenging qualifying session. Verstappen expressed his difficulty in getting the tires to the right temperature and maintaining control on the wet track, leading to his fourth-place finish. The unpredictable conditions in Shanghai have made it tough to predict outcomes, but Verstappen remains optimistic about his chances in the Sprint race. The peculiar track surface in Shanghai and limited grip will present a unique challenge, especially with the one-set tire rule adding complexity to the Sprint format. Verstappen acknowledges the importance of a strong start and managing tire behavior to secure a favorable position in the race.
