Trouble ahead of the China race

Verstappen sarcastic: “Yes, it’s very clever”

Max Verstappen is not satisfied with the program in China.(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

World champion Max Verstappen has spoken out critically in the run-up to the Chinese Grand Prix. Planning the race weekend, including the sprint competition, after a four-year absence was "very clever", the Dutchman said sarcastically. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz also voiced criticism. 

After four years, Formula 1 returns to China this weekend with a packed program. In addition to the comeback of the Grand Prix, the first sprint race of the season is also on the agenda. This means that the drivers will only have one hour of practice at the end. A decision that has caused displeasure.

"Yes, it's very clever to do that," commented Verstappen sarcastically. He thinks it is not so good to give the drivers so little time to get to know the track. "When you've been away from a track for a while, you never know what you're going to experience," said the Dutchman.

Sainz also criticizes
The Red Bull driver would have preferred a "normal race weekend". However, he believes that they wanted to make the whole thing a little more interesting: "But yes, purely from the perspective of driving and the performance of the sport, I don't think it's the smartest thing to do."

Ferrari driver Sainz agrees with his opponent. The matter has already been discussed in the drivers' meeting: "We tell the FIA and Formula 1 that we go to a track where we train for an hour and then go straight into qualifying." This could create some dangers.