Why is the track on fire in China?
This is twice in two weeks that I get to use my job-related knowledge to discuss motorsport!
The Shanghai Circuit had been reportedly “refinished” before the F1 round this weekend, but drivers and crew on the track walk ahead of the opening sessions noted numerous issues. The most important thing was that the racing surface was treated with some type of resin to hold it together. We commonly see these top-sealers in standard tarmac repair or refurbishment for roads and driveways. And yes, it makes a freshly covered surface look good, but it also prevents parts from tearing away under heavy lateral loads. The issue with the track is that it doesn’t appear to have been applied evenly, which will result in variable tire wear rates, and grip levels.
But that’s not all.
The grass has caught fire multiple times. The track management sealed the racing surface, but they’ve also probably painted the grass alongside it. Whatever they used to color the grass appears to be incredibly flammable.
Green grass and plants don’t burn so readily. A story on Motorsport.com raised some interesting but ridiculous theories. The first was methane seeping from the ground as the Shanghai circuit was built on a swamp. The concentration of methane gas required to cause a fire like we’ve seen would have to be significant, and a simple breeze would prevent concentrations like that from happening. You would also have seen a much higher-energy fire occur. This is an absolutely silly idea. Ignore this.
They also suggested that the number of sparks from the ground affects cars by igniting these. This is probably the case, but again, well-hydrated, green grass doesn’t burn like this. More than likely, they’ve used some cheap paint to color the grass to make it look green, and it’s likely brown and dead underneath it, leading to lots of kindling, and some hot titanium sparks lighting it off.
The FIA will never speak to a cause, but I’m absolutely telling you that’s the issue.
The next question is whether we will see this happen in the race, and if so, what is F1 going to do about it? More importantly, what is the FIA going to do in the future? Chinese officials didn’t tell them about this, nor did they tell Pirelli.
Are FIA Grade 1 circuits “that much better” than everyone else? Or does the FIA push its Olympic Committee level of weight around to pretend like it is? This is embarrassing.
Custom Helmets.
One-offs are fun—but I’ll stand on my lawn and yell at clouds all day about this. Each driver should be able to pick a single round for a one-off. The rest of it should have to stand with a single design. There are some classic colorways out there and I think F1 needs to recapture this history and keep it relevant.
Sprint Qualifying.
Norris put in a huge lap in the wet. Is it possible that the McLaren is a good wet-weather car? Either way. The sprint race might be entertaining. The main show likely turns out to be another Tilke-track snorefest, but, at least we might have a chance for something other than a Verstappen runaway victory for the first 5-7 laps. As usual, the race will come down to the pit strategy which Red Bull rarely screws up.
A few weeks ago, I jinxed Verstappen by saying he would run away with the victory in Australia. I’ll say it here again. We need another new winner in F1. And if the memes are true, and Sainz is leading, expect a spectacular exit for George Russell.
Lizards are Back
After an incredibly long hiatus, Flying Lizards returns to the IMSA paddock this weekend in Long Beach. This time is slightly different from their last venture in 2016 with Tracy Krohn at Sebring in an Audi R8. This weekend they show up in an Aston Martin with Andy Lee and Elias Sabo in GTD. They went quickest for a few laps in FP1 and then settled in for the remainder of the session in the mid-field. It’s like they never left.
This weekend and format will suit them well given how the SRO events normally run.
I’m happy to have them back. Hopefully, it becomes a permanent addition.
Vasser-Sullivan and the 89?
The team's second entry also has a number change from its usual 12 and 14. With no GTD Pro running at this weekend's events, Vasser Sullivan split the pro-pairing of Hawksworth and Montecalvo, which could result in some fireworks. This number also coincides with the brands entry into the USDM.
Another fun, one-off entry. it’s too bad we couldn’t have had more of this.
Long Beach Format
While FormulaD runs center stage the weekend ahead of the GP, I think that IMSA and IndyCar could do a ton of good running FD on Saturday night after the full circuit efforts happen. I know it would be nearly impossible given paddock constraints, but what an incredible party atmosphere it is just being missed.
I also think that IMSA needs to make a bigger swing and run this race later and longer. Absent this ability, do something to help push the 100-minute event. Perhaps a second compound from Michelin? An alternate super-soft tire, but one that doesn’t last but a few laps could help.
It’s ‘Dega weekend.
Among the 100,000 other series are running this weekend. NASCAR returns to Talladega.
Always an interesting watch, I’ll put my money on Larson to win it.
Imola.
WEC returns to the best track in Italy. Sorry Monza purists, the first chicane ruins it.
Peugeot is finally unveiling its 9X8 with the still small wing this weekend, and if FP1 and FP2 results are any indication, it’s helped.
I think this race still comes down to Ferrari and Porsche to decide the win in Hypercar.
In LMGT3, the TF Sport Corvettes ended FP2 in P1 and P3. The car from GM has not had a great start to its racing life; perhaps this weekend will be a breakthrough, and they can capture a win. If not, pick a Ferrari. I don’t care which one. It’s Italy, you can’t really get away with anything else.
IndyCar.
It is one of the best races all season, normally one of the most competitive.
But the gap between the last round and this one is far, far, far too long. I barely can remember what happened at Thermal, and going back to St. Pete to figure that out other than a Newgarden win? Nah. I know I’m old, but IndyCar has to find a way to fix this early season gap issue. Thermal surely wasn’t it.
Aeroscreen 2.0
It's a surprise to the weekend, but likely a welcome one that will pay dividends as we roll into the summer season.
It is light, shorter, and has two large eyebrow vents; hopefully, it breathes better.
This change was also much needed to pull weight out of the car ahead of the hybrid systems coming in. Drivers complained quite a bit about how much the weight so high up altered the balance of the DW18 so significantly since its Version 1 installation in the 2020 season.
The 2.0 version is 4.5lbs lighter in the optical element, and another 6.8lbs out of the titanium halo frame. Pulling 11.1 lbs out of one of the highest points in the chassis will likely help a ton.