Max Verstappen claims hosting a sprint race in China isn’t the ‘smartest thing to do’

F1 last held a Grand Prix event at the Shanghai International racing circuit in 2019.

Max Verstappen claims hosting a sprint race in China isn’t the ‘smartest thing to do’

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

F1 in recent years, has introduced Sprint races in order to give drivers the chance to accrue more points for their teams. This season, a sprint event will take place in Shanghai. However, the current world champion, Max Verstappen believes that adding a sprint race to the Chinese GP may not have been the best move.

Max Verstappen believes, that adding a sprint race in China puts drivers in a difficult place. The drivers haven’t raced on the Shanghai circuit for a long time.

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Driving around the tricky circuit with just FPs is a bit tricky for the drivers, and the sprint on top only adds to the pressure.

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I think it's not great, let's say like that, to do that. Because when you have been away from a track for quite a while, I think you never know what you're going to experience, right? So it would have been better to have a normal race weekend there.
Max Verstappen told: Racingnews365

When sprint races were added to the F1 schedules for the first time, not many drivers were in favor of the decision despite it allowing them to score more points. Verstappen feels that there is just too much uncertainty with returning to the Shanghai track after years, and adding sprint to the schedule makes things even more difficult for drivers. 

Max Verstappen is excited ahead of the event at the Shanghai circuit 

Due to COVID restrictions, F1 had stopped their racing venture in China, however, now that there is no risk factor involved, the sport will make a return to the nation in the near future. Despite Max Verstappen not being in favor of a sprint race at the Shanghai track, he is excited to go racing again at the 5.451 km long track.

Max Verstappen (Via IMAGO)
Max Verstappen (Via IMAGO)

The last F1 race at the Shanghai circuit took place in 2019.

On the other hand, it probably spices things up a bit more, and that's maybe what they would like to see. We'll see what we get there, I always loved driving there. Hopefully we can hit the ground running as well as we can, and hopefully we don't need to fine-tune too many things on the car.
Max Verstappen via: Racingnews365

After four rounds, Max Verstappen is leading the 2024 Driver’s Championship. The RB20 has worked very well so far but keeping in view that F1 is heading to Shanghai, and the ongoing rise of Ferrari, the event could prove a bit tricky for Verstappen and Co.

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