P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has been a vocal critic of F1’s use of sprint races since the start of the 2021 season, but has now shared a more positive view on the most recent format alteration.
Max Verstappen, although critical of F1 Sprint weekends, has praised the recent format change, welcoming the opportunity to adjust setups between Sprint and grand prix qualifying. He expressed relief that teams can now make changes within the three-hour parc fermé window, a departure from previous weekends where setups were locked in place after FP1. Verstappen highlighted the advantage of having more opportunities to perfect the car’s setup, believing it will benefit racing overall. He acknowledged the challenge posed by the unfamiliarity of returning to the Shanghai International Circuit after a five-year gap, suggesting the element of unknown could make the weekend more exciting for fans. Despite preferring a traditional weekend, Verstappen sees the new format as an opportunity for improvement, expressing optimism that it will lead to better racing than before.
