F1 drivers walked the track ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix and thought it had been painte💯d.

There were no FIA notes in advance of this weekend’s race 🔥to suggest that th🀅e circuit had been resurfaced.

The odd c🐠olour of the asphalt in some places led drivers to believe paintwork had൲ taken place.

“From the track side, it look🍸s like 🍌they have repainted it, rather than resurfaced it,” Max Verstappen said.

"I don't kn𒉰ow what that does to the grip of the track, so that's something we have to g꧑et on top of.”

Daniel Ricciardo noticed: "It looks like they've p🍬ainted the track or something. They've done something to the surface.

"I don't know how the track's going to change, or if it's going to be the 𒈔same or super slippery. But maybe that changes the way the tyres behave."

But, the track at the F🍰1 Chinese Grand Prix has not be﷽en painted.

A bitumen surface treatment has been applied to the track - a common prღactice in the US and Asia.

Bitumen is applied to the track as a fluid, to༺ get rid of dust, and prevent ওdisintegration of the track.

The colouring on the track🧸, mistaken for paint by F1 drivers, is actually just the bitumen wearing awa🥃y in certain areas.

It was applied roughly a year ago.

That may lead to concern for F1 t𒅌eams ovꦿer grip levels.

If the bitumen does erode further as F1 running begins on Friday in Shangh♔ai, the track could be left with varying levels of grꩲip in various places.

The uncertainties around the bitumen on the track could also lead to some big decisi𒉰ons surrounding which tyres to use.

Ferrari profited from 🍨graining at the Australia Grand Prix, whereas Red Bull typically excel with🍨 tyre deg.

F1 has never tested its lat💜est generation of cars at ไthe Shanghai International Circuit.

And, the Chinese Grand Prix is th🐼e first sprint weekend of the 2024 F1 season.

It is the first round to 🎃feature the brand-new sprint format, too.

There will be one practi🐠ce session on Friday before sprint qualif💞ying.

The sprint race on Sat♓urday is before qualifying for the grand prix.

The Chinese Grand Prix is on Sunday.

“The sprint week💧e♔nd is always a question mark,” Verstappen said.

“There is alwaysꦚ chaos involved which is good fo🏅r Formula 1.

“🎀From my side it is unknown. We haven’t driven here with these new parts.

“So I don’t know how we will perform here.”