Despite no prior notification from the FIA, drivers and teams at the Shanghai circuit were surprised by the unusual appearance of the track surface resembling paint rather than a typical resurfacing. Questions arose regarding the impact on tire behavior and grip levels especially given the limited practice time before sprint qualifying. Research revealed that the surface had undergone a bitumen treatment common in the United States and Asia aiming to improve grip, waterproofing and track durability.
However, the treatment presence could result in varied grip levels and inconsistencies across different parts of the track posing challenges for teams to adapt their setups accordingly. While comparisons were made to the low-grip conditions experienced in Turkey in 2020 drivers were cautiously optimistic that the treatment in Shanghai would not lead to similar chaos. Nevertheless, uncertainties remained regarding tire performance with teams unsure if the weekend would favor front graining or degradation issues.
Adaptation to the demands of the circuit particularly its long-duration corners was emphasized as crucial for achieving optimal performance.
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