Lewis Hamilton expects unexciting Sprint Qualifying
The seven-time world champion does not seem enthusiastic about the new qualifying format that will be introduced this weekend.
This season, Sprint Qualifying will make its debut in Formula 1. These will be inaugurated this weekend, during the British Grand Prix, and will determine the starting grid for the main race on Sunday. This new qualifying format, which is actually a 100-kilometer race, should bring more excitement. However, some drivers do not share the same opinion, this is notably the case for Lewis Hamilton.
Interviewed on the subject, the Mercedes driver believes that he does not particularly have high hopes for the show produced by this new qualifying format. The Briton also does not expect many overtaking maneuvers and thinks that the race will resemble a train.
« It’s going to be a train, probably. Let’s hope there will be overtaking, but it certainly won’t be exciting, he says. Lewis Hamilton’s fears could be explained by the fact that drivers will not be allowed to change tires, so with similar wear, overtaking could be scarce.
Concerns have also been raised within the Williams team about the Sprint Qualifying. George Russell, who excels in the traditional format, fears he may not be able to stand out.
« I’m not too sure that this is playing in our favor, as our performances are clearly a bit better in qualifying than in the race usually, but we have to try, and maybe it will go the other way. It’s new for everyone and it also gives an opportunity, he said on the Sky Sports F1 microphone.
