‘A slippery slope to becoming F2’ - F1 teams on reverse grid sprint idea

A processional sprint qualifying race at the Italian Grand Prix drew criticism from drivers and fans alike as F1 carried out the second of three trial runs of its experimental new weekend format on Saturday afternoon at Monza.

F1 is considering potential changes for next season, including the prospect of making the sprint a completely standalone - and possibly reverse-grid - event that has no bearing on the starting order for the grand prix.

But the suggestions have not been well-received by some teams or drivers.

“I will support what the fans deem to be entertaining,” said Szafnauer.

“However, I think a reverse grid in Formula 1 is a big, big departure from what the sport was always about.

“I personally wouldn’t want us to have this sprint race on Saturday turn into a slippery slope to becoming Formula 2.

“If that’s what the fans want then I’m wrong and let’s do what the fans want.

“But I don’t think Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, should start entertaining weight penalties, reverse grids, all that sort of stuff.”

Toto Wolff remains completely opposed to the idea of reverse-grid races after Mercedes blocked last year’s original proposal for the format to be introduced.

“I remain in the same position, it’s diluting the DNA of the sport, of a meritocracy,” said Wolff.

“I think the sprint races are worth a try. I’m not sure we will keep them. But reverse grids can be done in junior formulas where you want to see the overtaking abilities of drivers.

“It’s not something we should even come close to in Formula 1.”

Wolff urged F1 to go over potential solutions with a “fine toothcomb” before implementing any regulatory changes, rather than just “free-styling” with “confused” formats.

“I don’t think these regulations we should [push through] with a baseball bat, we have too much responsibility for our sport to just freestyle with regulatory changes,” he added.

“If Brazil proves to be an exciting race, probably there will be appetite or maybe there will be appetite to continue.

“But the rest, some of the suggestions that have come up are just confused.”

And Wolff believes the biggest fundamental flaw of the current sprint format is that “everybody is confused”.

"I don't know how it is with you but I don't know what session is when,” he explained.

"I believe the sprint race format, as it stands at the moment, doesn't give a lot of benefit because nobody will take a serious risk.

"There are too few points at stake and the risk of compromising the Sunday grand prix with points all the way to 10th position is just not worth the risk.

"What we have seen are general difficulties in overtaking because the straight-line speeds are very similar but also because even turn one and two, nobody takes the risk.

"Let's give it another try in Brazil, let's see if there is anything that changes. That was a worthwhile experiment and for me, this is just a personal opinion, it is not fish, not meat."

However, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is eager for F1 to consider using reserve grid races next year.

“I like it,” Binotto said on Friday. “I like it because I think that for the show and the spectacle it can be of interest.

“At the very start of the discussion of the mini-race format as Ferrari we were the one proposing it because I think whatever is your position on the classification, somehow that’s bringing some extra spectacle and that’s important for our fans. It’s important for the entertainment that F1 may offer.”