“Messy” reverse grids not a priority for F1 - Ricciardo

Renault's Daniel Ricciardo says the introduction of reverse grid qualifying races is not a priority for Formula 1, believing the format would “make things a little messy”.

F1 discussed the idea of a 30-minute qualifying sprint race format on the second weekend of double-header events, with the grid set by reverse championship order and final result determining the grid for Sunday’s main grand prix.

The race weekend format would have been changed for the back-to-back Red Bull Ring and Silverstone rounds in July and August in order to trial the experiment.

However, the proposal was rejected after Mercedes opposed the move, with team boss Toto Wolff arguing its case that F1 did not need a “gimmick” to improve the quality of racing.

“I'm not always old-school, but I guess it's not really the first on our priority list of things to change in the sport," Ricciardo said during an F1 Instagram live interview.

"I can see how some fans would be like 'yeah, it would be great to have the fast guys trying to come through the field' and all of that. I see that point of view.

"There are a lot of scenarios where it wouldn't work, and it would make things a little messy.

"I can see why from a couch potato [point of view], as I am right now, it could be exciting.

“But I think from a purist and a real racing point of view, I don't think we need to go there just yet. That's the best way to say it.”

F1 managing director Ross Brawn says the lack of unanimity between teams means the idea has been “dropped” for 2020.

"Why we resurrected this idea was because of the consecutive races at the track, which we're going to have at two races this season maybe more,” Brawn told Sky.

"It seemed an ideal opportunity in the second race to try a different format. I think most of the issues Toto was concerned about, most could be addressed with the teams working together.

"But at the moment it needs a unanimous decision from the teams."