Max Verstappen asserts that Formula 1 appeared “silly” by being the first series to trial the new track surface at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar last weekend.
After hosting the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix in 2021, the Lusail track returned to the F1 calendar this season to commence a long-term 10-year agreement the circuit promoters penned with Liberty Media.
Ahead of the event’s continuation, the venue underwent extensive renovations, including the addition of a newly relayed track surface for the first time since it was opened in 2004.
However, F1 was the first series to encounter the updated surface, prompting the drivers to struggle for grip from the outset on Friday.
Unlike many other grands prix on the F1 roster, there was also no support series present throughout the entire race weekend.
Verstappen believes the sport should ensure that preventative measures are put in place to avoid a repeat of the situation occurring.
“I think it did grip up a little bit [during the race],” he said. “Probably if we come back next year it will be again a bit better but it depends on how much it will be driven.
“I think it’s important that other kinds of categories come back, or come here and race a little bit more, because you have to take, a bit, that oil out of the tarmac when it’s new, and also a bit more like a wider grip line. At the moment, I think it’s still too much like one line.
“But it seemed to really ramp up. I think next time that we get into a situation like this, I don’t think F1 should be, like, the first one to drive because it looks a bit silly.
“And, like, FP1 with cars, you know, sliding around having no grip, I think is important when we go to a track where they’ve put new tarmac, that at least it’s run in a little, y’know? That will then help a lot.”
The Dutchman, who was crowned a three-time champion on Saturday, insists that the dusty track was also partly responsible for mandated tyre stints being imposed.
Amid concerns about the tyres, the FIA enforced maximum stint lengths of 18 laps for every competitor in Sunday’s race.
“Also, for understanding the tyres, for example, what we had now,” Verstappen continued. “That’s why we had these forced, of course, limited laps.
“So yeah, a few things I think to learn out of this this weekend as a whole.”
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