Driver Carlos Sainz Assesses Newly Resurfaced Shanghai Circuit for Upcoming Race

Williams driver, Carlos Sainz, has shared his initial thoughts about the freshly resurfaced Shanghai International Circuit as he prepares for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix. Although he hasn’t discussed it in detail with his team yet, he appears optimistic about the changes.

First Impressions After Cycling the Track

Having cycled around the track yesterday to get a feel for it and train, Sainz expressed that the circuit looks high grip. He was cautious not to set expectations too high, recalling the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix where the track became incredibly slippery due to last-minute resurfacing and poor weather conditions.

The new asphalt still contained oils that surfaced, making the tarmac slick during the race. This was further complicated by rain and low temperatures, causing difficulties for drivers even at low speeds. Turkey also looked high grip initially, but a surface issue created low grip, leaving the drivers struggling.

Challenges Ahead: Sprint Race Format and Limited Practice Time

The Chinese Grand Prix features a sprint race, which means that Sainz and the other 19 drivers will have only 60 minutes of practice before moving straight into sprint qualifying. In April of 2024, Sainz expressed his displeasure with this format after a five-year hiatus from the Shanghai track.

This year, the six rookies will find it particularly challenging due to the limited practice time. The unpredictable nature of the race could be heightened if the track doesn’t provide the expected grip levels following the resurfacing. So far, this season has been chaotic.