Toto Wolff claims Chinese GP return crucial for F1’s ‘global footprint’

Formula 1’s success in recent years has been rising through the roof, all thanks to Liberty Media’s proactive approach. Hence, Wolff pointed out that China was a ‘key market’ to continue boosting the sport’s popularity. Additionally, the 52-year-old showcased his excitement to return back to the Shanghai circuit where Lewis Hamilton won the last time the race was run. The team principal was positive that the race weekend would produce a ‘fantastic event’ for the teams and fans alike.

The growth of F1 in recent years has been positive and China is a key market in which to continue this progress. We are looking forward to racing in Shanghai for the first time in five years and bringing F1 back to the Chinese fans.  Toto Wolff reckoned.

Toto Wolff claims that the Chinese GP will have ‘plenty of unknowns’

The Chinese GP will be the first sprint weekend of the new and updated format of the sprint races. Hence, the teams will have only one practice session to get everything in the challenger right. Upon this, Toto Wolff mentioned that the weekend would be ‘interesting’. Additionally, the team principal accepted that there would be a lot of ‘unknown’ situations at the Shanghai circuit.

We are looking forward to building on that this weekend (at the Chinese Grand Prix, which returns after five years away). It will be an interesting weekend on track. With new cars, new tyres, and changes to the track surface since we last raced in China, there will be plenty of unknowns. Toto Wolff mentioned.

The Austrian asserted that the first sprint weekend will have its own set of challenges to the teams and drivers. According to Wolff, The second parc ferme implemented will provide an improvement to the ‘rhythm’ of the Chinese weekend. However, the team principal did accept that the single practice session would put pressure on the team to make the correct setup quickly.

We have the first Sprint weekend of the year too and that brings its own challenges. The changes to the format, including a second parc fermé, will be an improvement to the rhythm of the weekend. Toto Wolff noted.

Regardless of the issues faced by teams and drivers, the entire race weekend would be exciting for the fans. All eyes will be on the local hero Zhou Guanyu as he will race in China for the first time as well. Mercedes will be looking to make the most out of the weekend after a string of woeful races. The Silver Arrows need to desperately rediscover their form to be able to score some crucial points soon.