P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The first race event of the year to use the sprint format will take place in China next weekend, much to the confusion of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen expressed his doubts regarding Formula 1’s choice to introduce an F1 Sprint race weekend at the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, marking the sport’s return to China after a five-year hiatus. The modified schedule for 2024 will see sprint qualifying held on Friday, followed by the sprint race on Saturday ahead of the grand prix qualifying later in the day, creating a new approach for the event. Verstappen, in a somewhat sarcastic tone, criticized the decision due to the uncertainties of racing at a track after a long absence, suggesting a traditional race weekend format would be more suitable. Despite his reservations, he acknowledged the potential for added excitement by featuring a venue not seen on the calendar for several years, even though he emphasized the importance of performance and driving perspective in the sport. Verstappen expressed hope for a smooth transition back to racing in China and minimal adjustments to the car setup, emphasizing his fondness for the circuit and a desire to start the event strongly.
