Why extremely rough Sepang was over four seconds slower than Pirelli's F1 simulations

During the Friday practice for the Formula 1 return to Malaysia, the Sepang circuit's abrasive surface caused significant issues, leading to lap times that were 4.5 seconds slower than Pirelli's qualifying simulations. The track began to break up, prompting the use of sweeper trucks to clear debris, which contributed to the low grip levels experienced by the teams.

Pirelli's chief engineer, Simone Berra, indicated that while the rough conditions would not pose safety risks, they would likely worsen during the race. Drivers like Charles Leclerc expressed challenges with the slippery track, suggesting that the evolving conditions could impact race strategy and performance, particularly in balancing car setup for qualifying and race stints.