Max Verstappen hopes Formula 1 never sees a repeat of the grip issues that dominated the Turkish Grand Prix weekend.
Predictions of an easy-flat Turn 8 and lap records never materialised as a new tarmac surface left drivers struggling in both wet and dry conditions at Istanbul Park.
In the rain, Verstappen had been the class of the field. But the Red Bull driver missed out on pole to Lance Stroll in an upset, then in the race, a spin trying to pass Sergio Perez ended his victory chances, eventually crossing the line in sixth place.
“It was very frustrating, to be honest,” Verstappen said. “I tried to follow Checo through that kink [at Turn 11] and then suddenly I just massively washed-out, you get onto the green bit and then a big spin.
“I tried to keep it out of the wall of course but flat-spotted the tyres.”
There was still potential for a podium as Verstappen was battling the two Ferraris after his spin, but the pace he had shown beforehand never returned.
“You very quickly catch up with the guys but you can’t pass. There’s just one line around here, and that’s already super slippery,” he explained.
“So it’s super frustrating and we were just waiting for people to pit and whatever. The fact the track was not really dry and you keep going on intermediates but at one point when you start wearing the rubber of the intermediates, you are just sliding over that rubber everywhere.
“Really, really difficult. Just following, no grip and trying to survive. Not a great day but hopefully we will never be in this situation again where it is so slippery.”
After Verstappen dropped out of contention, it appeared the second Red Bull of Alex Albon would pick up the charge as he closed in on the Racing Points.
But like Max, the Thai driver also fell back after pitting for new intermediates and was passed by his teammate in the closing laps.
“I feel a bit confused actually about the race,” he admitted. “From the beginning, our starts were poor but then we had very good grip, we could make our way through and then when we boxed for inters we had incredible grip.
“At that point, I thought we were in for a win and I thought everything was going to plan. Then I had a little pirouette but still felt good with it being a long race and anything can happen. But then with the other set of tyres, there was no grip and no pace, so a lot of head-scratching.
“It’s such a unique weekend. We’ll look into it for sure but also just focus on the next race.”