P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pirelli: F1 Chinese GP return prompts major uncertainties after five-year absence
The last race at the Shanghai circuit was in 2019 before the extended absence due to COVID-19. F1 technical regulations changed significantly since then, with a shift to 18-inch tires. The track surface may have altered, but Pirelli couldn’t send engineers to assess it before. The circuit was built on swampland, so hidden bumps might pose a challenge to drivers. Shanghai will host the first sprint weekend in 2024, adding to the excitement of relearning the track. Despite the lack of early inspection, Pirelli is confident in their tire choices for the race. Berra expects some graining on the tires, particularly on the C3 and C4 compounds, but believes the selection of C2, C3, and C4 covers all possibilities.
