Max Verstappen claims new sprint format 'makes more sense'

Apart from this, Verstappen highlighted that there is always a ‘question mark’ while racing during the sprint weekends. However, this question mark was still unknown to the Dutchman and Red Bull. Additionally, the 26-year-old pointed towards the fact that the ground-effect era challengers will be run around the Shanghai circuit for the first time. Regardless, the three-time world champion wasn’t too afraid of the weekend, courtesy of the radically-designed RB20.

I think there is always one more question mark with Sprint in general, which I think is a good thing for F1. As for me, she is currently an unknown factor. We have never driven here with these new cars, so I don't know how we will behave. Time will tell and I'm not too worried. Max Verstappen noted.

Max Verstappen claims that the Chinese GP will be an ‘unknown’

The Chinese GP will return after a hiatus of five years. Hence, the entire weekend will be tricky for the drivers racing here for the first time. Verstappen reckoned that the Chinese GP would be an unknown regarding the entire conditions. Additionally, the Dutchman highlighted that the track was repainted and not re-asphalted.

The GP will be a little ’ an unknown. From the track point of view, it seems that they have repainted it, rather than re-asphalted it. Max Verstappen highlighted.

Hence, the new conditions raised uncertainty regarding the grip of the track to Verstappen. As a result, Red Bull will need to try to keep it under control and not raise any other issues. The Dutchman reckoned that the conditions will be the same for everyone, but Milton Keynes would need to have a good FP1 session. The crew will need to constantly work on fine-tuning the setup of the car for the drivers.

I don't know what effect it has on the grip of the track, it is an aspect that we must keep under control. It's the same for everyone, but we just have to do a good FP1 and hope we don't have to fine-tune the car. This will help us better face the rest of the weekend. Max Verstappen reckoned.

The teams will only get one practice session to get the setup right and move towards the sprint weekend. Hence, the Chinese GP will be a great challenge for all the teams present on the grid. Red Bull will likely showcase a dominant performance this weekend. Apart from this, Ferrari might come close in second, keeping in mind their recent performances.