The Latest Breaking News from FIA

The Zhou Guanyu effect, a ticket sales meltdown, and an imperfect track are swirling together in the Chinese GP's long-delayed revival—and murky future.

With F1 teams having done a lot of pre-event work in the simulator based on information from both Pirelli and the FIA, they were caught out when they arrived at the circuit on Wednesday by the visibly different track surface.

The French manufacturer has admitted surprise at the BoP for its Le Mans Hypercar, now known as the 9X8 2024, which will hit the track 31kg heavier and with 10kW (13bhp) less power than its predecessor did at the Qatar WEC season-opener in March.

While teams are often reluctant to introduce major development packages for sprint race weekends, because of limited track running, it does not prevent them seeking gains in other ways.

Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford collectively wrote to the FIA opposing the governing body’s recommendations for next year, that include the removal of hybrid power from Rally1 cars alongside a reduction in aero and power.

Having had no notification in pre-event notes from the FIA regarding any resurfacing, the colour of the asphalt – which has already worn away on the racing line in places – left some concluding that the circuit had had a paintbrush taken to it.

Evaluation of 2026 aero ideas had left sim drivers experiencing some weird phenomena – including difficulties in spinning out on the straights under acceleration in low-downforce configuration, or being unable to run anywhere near flat out in what should be high-speed corners.

The FIA has regionalised some of the F1 calendar in an attempt to make the series more sustainable. This included moving the Japanese Grand Prix from its mid-to-late-season spot to April for a more defined Asian leg, with the return of the Chinese Grand Prix following two weeks later. 

Teams spend months and even years working on improving the designs of their cars to make them lighter and faster in the hopes of beating the competition. There are many obvious elements on an F1 car's bodywork, including the front wing and the side pods, which all work together to…