Reverse grids a missed opportunity? The paddock is now divided
Reverse grids a missed opportunity? The paddock is now divided
Formula 1 is now divided on the idea of reverse grid qualifying races.
When the suggestion was first aired, in a bid to spice up the second grand prix of back-to-back races at the same venue, Mercedes stood firm and alone in opposition.
Heading into the second race at the Red Bull Ring this weekend, it is now clear the pros and cons of the concept are more clear than when they were initially debated.
Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams can see both sides of the argument.
"For somebody who, for many years, has always been espousing the real DNA of our sport, funnily enough, I was fairly in favour of the reverse grid, but maybe that would come as no surprise," said Williams deputy team principal Claire Wiliams.
"I would have loved to have seen a Williams line up on pole." But placing self-interest to one side, Williams did admit to being unsure F1 needs such a "gimmick'.
She added: "But you know, it does go against, I think, the true DNA of our sport and I’m not a person that actually thinks that Formula 1 needs these kinds of gimmicky things, I suppose, if I can call them that, to make the sport more exciting. I think that the sport is incredibly exciting."
Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer suggested his team's cars would not have coped with the scenario, in particular, due to the high rate of attrition in the season-opening race last weekend.
"As you saw, this track can be really hard on brakes," said Szafnauer. "We saw, perhaps, some brake failures.
"Unfortunately, to have a reverse grid and then go into parc fermé and then have another race, our car, for example, wouldn’t have been able to do that, to have a short race and then with the same car finish a race.
"I think those types of decisions have to be made early enough, before the design process starts, such that you can design the car for those parameters."
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, however, feels the decision not to trial reverse grid races is a "missed opportunity'.
"Hopefully, it comes back on the agenda that we do this.," said Steiner.
"As I’ve always said, if it doesn’t work we need to brave enough to say it didn’t work and go back to what we know from before. Sometimes trying helps because there is not a lot we can lose."
Similarly, Alfa Romeo team principal Frédéric Vasseur is hopeful the idea will be revisited, suggesting Silverstone would make a perfect testing ground.
"I think I was positive for this for the rest of the season, for Silverstone and if we have to do another development later into the season I think it was a good opportunity," said Vasseur.
"It’s also part of the skill of the drivers to be able to overtake. Let’s see for the future. But we have tons of things to sort out this season."
Before you go...
"One-year-old Mercedes" has finally showed its true potential - McLaren
Mercedes to investigate unhappy Hamilton's pace woes
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton in Ferrari F1 SHOCK as star targeted for stunning Audi move - GPFans F1 Recap
- 15 minutes ago
F1 wonderkid in Mercedes TEST amid driver replacement reports
- 1 hour ago
Former Perez F1 boss reveals who should replace him
- 2 hours ago
Sainz hints at sensational move to rival series
- 3 hours ago
McLaren star DROPPED following serious injury
- Yesterday 19:57
F1 legend confident about Newey to Ferrari
- Yesterday 18:58
Related news
F1 Miami Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today
F1 decision announced regarding points system change
F1 boss HITS BACK at star driver over schedule complaints
F1 franchise welcomes return of INCREDIBLE feature
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860