Toto Wolff labels F1 sprint "not fish, not meat" and slates reverse grid proposals

Italian Grand Prix

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Wolff labels F1 sprint "not fish, not meat" and slates reverse grid proposals

F1 held its second sprint at Monza with differing opinions on its success

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Sunday 12 September 2021 09:30

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has reiterated his stance reverse grids should not be introduced into F1.

The Mercedes team principal also revealed he did not think sprint weekends would remain as they are "confusing" and "not fish, not meat".

The sport is trialling its sprint format at three weekends this season and after a largely positive reception at the British GP, mainly due to the novelty factor, there was a more negative feeling after what Sergio Perez described as a "very boring" event at Monza.

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F1 managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn hinted at reverse grids being readdressed after Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto also rekindled hope of grid reversals earlier in the weekend.

Wolff was outspoken in his dislike of the idea last season and asked if he felt the same way, he replied: "I remain in the same position.

"It dilutes the DNA of the sport, the meritocracy. I think the sprint race is worth the try, I am not sure we will keep them.

"A reverse grid can be done in junior formulas where we want to see the overtaking ability of the drivers but it is not something we should even come close to in F1."

Wolff explains sprint faults

On the problems he has with sprint, he explained: "First of all, everybody is confused.

"I don't know how it is with you but I don't know what session is when.

"I believe the sprint race format, as it stands at the moment, doesn't give a lot of benefit because nobody will take a serious risk.

"There are too few points at stake and the risk of compromising the Sunday grand prix with points all the way to 10th position is just not worth the risk.

"What we have seen are general difficulties in overtaking because the straight-line speeds are very similar but also because even turn one and two, nobody takes the risk.

"Let's give it another try in Brazil, let's see if there is anything that changes. That was a worthwhile experiment and for me, this is just a personal opinion, it is not fish, not meat."