P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The F1 Sprint format is set for more changes next year and Sergio Perez has suggested that the sport should look into bringing in reverse grid races. But just how could a weekend format look with that scheme in place?
“The F1 Sprint format has been a topic of controversy since its introduction in 2021. Each year, the format has undergone changes, with the current schedule featuring a second qualifying session on Saturday morning to set the grid for the Sprint race. However, these alterations have often revealed secrets for the main event, diminishing the excitement. Talks are currently underway to streamline the format for next year, aiming to make it less confusing for fans. Despite some teams and drivers wanting to get rid of the Sprint, F1 seems determined to keep it. Sergio Perez recently proposed the idea of a reverse grid, which would be a significant rule change. While this suggestion is not new, it is rare to see a driver advocating for it. Formula 2 and Formula 3 already implement reverse grid races. One of the challenges with the current Sprint format is the lack of practice time for teams to optimize their set-up, which led to disqualifications in the past. To address this, it is suggested to reinstate two practice sessions on Friday and implement parc ferme conditions before qualifying on Saturday, with the top 10 from qualifying flipped to form the Sprint race grid. However, swapping the entire grid could lead to teams intentionally going slow if they think a top 10 result is unattainable. Additionally, F1 would need to adapt the traditional qualifying format to ensure competitiveness.”
Forrás: RacingNews 365
