Verstappen: Sprint qualifying conditions 'like driving on ice'

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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen says he had no edge in Friday’s Sprint qualifying in Shanghai due to the wet conditions that felt like he was “driving on ice”.

The Dutchman clocked in fourth at the end of the chaotic dry-to-wet session, never appearing to get to grips with his RB20 or with the tricky conditions in the final shootout, running wide on both of his SQ3 flyers on Pirelli's intermediate tyre.

However, Verstappen was confident of reversing his fortunes in Saturday’s 30-minute event if dry conditions prevail.

“It was incredibly slippery,” the Dutchman said. “I struggled a lot to get the temperature in the tyres, it was very difficult to keep the car on-track, and it never really switched on for me.

2024 Chinese Grand Prix - Sprint Qualifying results

“It was just like driving on ice. That’s why I think it was quite deserved where we are in qualifying, because it’s not really working for me in the wet, even though I think the dry we look quite good.

“So of course I’m quite happy with that.”

The consensus among the teams in Shanghai was that the circuit’s bitumen treatment had significantly reduced grip levels in the wet.

Verstappen reckons that a strong result in the Sprint race will only be achievable with a strong launch off the grid and optimized tyre management.

“It’s not ideal to start on the inside here, there’s a lot lower grip, left to right with this like painted stuff on the tarmac,” explained the reigning world champion.

“We have to try and have the best start possible. Then of course it’s going to be quite a long stint on one set of tyres in the sprint, but that makes it quite interesting again.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.