The idea of an inverted F1 grid back on the drawing board

Will Formula 1 finally be seduced by the prospect of a reversed grid during sprint races? This is a possibility that is once again being discussed. Stefano Domenicali, head of Formula 1, is looking to make the sport as captivating as possible for fans and is in favor of the idea of reversing the positions of the qualifying rounds during races, a method already present in lower categories such as F2 and F3, often offering eventful and exciting races. A project that is reminiscent of 2021, when Formula 1 also decided to draw inspiration from its feeder series to introduce sprint races taking place on Saturdays and covering a third of the total distance of a Grand Prix, approximately 100 km. Initially met with skepticism, they have become an integral part of the calendar, with six events this year.

A decision initially criticized within the paddock itself, with Dutch driver Max Verstappen considering that it detracts from the excitement due to the lack of spectacle and points awarded. These statements reached the governing bodies, which decided to drastically change the format this year. Now, they are preceded by a Sprint Shootout on Friday, which determines the starting grid for Saturday morning. This new format has helped increase excitement around the sprint races by offering more freedom for car setups and increasing uncertainty, two elements appreciated by fans and teams.

The former director of Ferrari strongly defends this format and even considers increasing the number of sprint races to eight in the coming years, which is a third of the calendar. He believes that this format has proven its worth and has been well received by fans after a period of adaptation.

« I remember that when we introduced them, we received a lot of criticism from purists – which we must always listen to, even those who are not satisfied. But I think that today, the situation has completely changed. I think that the change we introduced this year is the right one for many reasons – with separate qualifications and the Parc Fermé. The flow is much better today.

» Nevertheless, the Italian is aware that this format can still be improved. Among the ideas considered, the idea of a reverse grid resurfaces, the CEO of F1 considering that this could allow more teams to play leading roles and score points in the championship.

« And of course, there are certain topics that are always highly debatable. We can again discuss the need to reverse the grid, or half of the grid, as is done in F2 and F3. These are things that always keep the mind alert, so to speak, with the aim of keeping things consistently interesting. » The idea of a reversed grid, whether partial (only for the top ten) or full (depending on the drivers’ standings), could make the show more intense by forcing the fastest drivers to come back from the back of the grid. Domenicali is open to this idea, despite criticism that it would be artificial.

« Personally, I would say why not? There is a lot of action. There are overtakes. Are you fighting for points? Some people might say, ‘Oh, that’s an artificial way to race.’ Artificial? There is nothing artificial related to what you believe to be the right format to produce great action. So I would be interested in discussing that again. Yes. »

Domenicali also questions the usefulness of free practice sessions on Fridays, which he considers less interesting for fans. According to him, these sessions, although crucial for the teams, do not offer enough spectacle for the public. He dreams of a format where each track entry involves a real competition, aligned with the very essence of racing.

« Is it good entertainment for people who already come on Fridays to see cars driving around the track just to better prepare for the qualifying and the race? I mean, is this what people want to see? »

« Teams invest heavily in simulation tools to achieve this. So I dream that every time you hit the track, there is something to fight against. It’s the very nature of racing. It’s the nature of drivers, because they want to be the first every time, and that’s why we should aim for this kind of goal in the future.

The last three sprint weekends of the season, in the United States, Brazil, and Qatar, will be crucial to assess the need for any potential format adjustments. The results and feedback from these races could influence the decision of F1 on the introduction of reversed grids and other modifications to make the race weekends even more attractive.