Italian GP shows why F1 needs reverse grid races – Brawn

Formula 1’s managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn believes the Italian Grand Prix was a perfect example of why the championship should introduce reverse grid races.

Pierre Gasly claimed a shock maiden victory at Monza after capitalising on a red flag stoppage and penalty for Lewis Hamilton, with the AlphaTauri driver heading a podium also featuring Carlos Sainz’s McLaren and the Racing Point of Lance Stroll.

It marked the first time since the 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix that no Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari drivers finished inside the top three and was also the first occasion that a team other than those three has won a race since Kimi Raikkonen won the 2013 Australian Grand Prix for Lotus.

After serving his stop-go penalty, Hamilton slipped to the very back of the field but recovered from being half a minute down to fight his way into the points and finish seventh.

Writing in his post-race column, Brawn, who was unsuccessful in his attempts to push through the introduction of reverse grid races this year, revealed F1 will revisit the idea for the future.

"Monza was a candidate for a reverse grid sprint race when we were considering testing the format this year," Brawn said.

"Unfortunately, we could not move forward with it, but the concept is still something we and the FIA want to work through in the coming months and discuss with the teams for next year.

"We believe that the race showed the excitement a mixed-up pack can deliver and with next year's cars remaining the same as this year - our fans could be treated to the similar drama we saw this weekend at Monza.

"Of course, with a reverse grid sprint race, teams will set their cars up differently. Right now, Mercedes set their cars up to achieve the fastest lap and then to control the race from the front.

"If they know they have to overtake, they will have to change that approach.

"We will continue to evaluate new formats with the aim of improving the show but always maintaining the DNA of Formula 1."

F1 hopes to resume talks about plans to introduce reverse grid races at select races in 2021, but this time around the series will only require a ‘super majority’ of 28 out of 30 votes to approve new rules for next season.

A proposal to change the format for this year required complete unanimity between all 10 teams and fell at the first hurdle following opposition from Mercedes.