Overview
- The track began breaking up during Friday practice, producing widespread slides and lock‑ups and causing Alpine’s Franco Colapinto to crash at Turn 12, which led drivers to raise concerns with officials.
- F1 race director Rui Marques and FIA officials inspected the circuit Friday night and instructed organisers to carry out overnight remedial work that addressed two specific areas, including the racing line at Turn 1.
- Pirelli measured grip levels lower than expected before the weekend and said the rough, opening surface increases sliding and tyre temperatures and could worsen lap by lap when cars run close together.
- Drivers reported the new and patched sections are bumpy and inconsistent, forcing altered lines that reduce the effectiveness of key overtaking points and complicate team setup and practice work.
- Organisers and engineers say recent resurfacing and hot, dry conditions may have caused sub‑surface settlement, so officials will closely monitor the patches ahead of FP3, qualifying and the race to avoid a repeat of Monaco‑style disruption.