F1 eyeing reverse grids and one other major change as talks with drivers planned

Changes to the Sprint format are being eyed by Formula 1 and its chief executive Stefano Domenicali who said he wants to discuss his ideas with teams and drivers

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali wants to pitch the idea of reverse grid races. The Italian said he wants to hold talks with teams and drivers about potentially bringing in the format, which is already used in Sprint races in Formula 2 and the other FIA-sanctioned feeder series, Formula 3.

The Sprint has been part of F1 for the last few years and, despite some opposition to the format, chiefs have doubled-down. There were three Sprint races in a year initially, but that total has been doubled to six meaning a quarter of the 24 events held per year now use the format.

And it seems the sport is not yet done with its tinkering. According to chief executive Domenicali, the idea of introducing reverse grids for the short-form races is something that could be introduced in the coming years.

The former Ferrari chief also suggested he is keen to explore the idea of further increasing the number of Sprint races held per year. “I do believe there are possibilities to extend two things, which we need to discuss, both with the drivers and the teams, and, of course, with the FIA,” he told The Race.

“There are: Can we apply that [Sprint schedules] with more races? And is this the right formula to have the possibility to have a reverse grid, as we are doing with F2 and F3? These are points of discussion.

“I think that we are getting there to be mature to make sure that this point will be tackled seriously with the teams. The vibes to progress in this direction are definitely growing, and therefore I am ready to present and to discuss not only more sprints… but if there are new formats, new ideas.”

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Reverse grid races have, for several years, been used at both F2 and F3 level. In the current format, every event in both feeder series features a Sprint race in which a certain number of positions are reversed from the result of qualifying.

In F2, the top 10 qualifying positions are reversed for the Sprint race. That means the driver who qualifies on pole position for the main feature race, which gives out the most points, starts the Sprint 10th. In F3, because there are more cars in the field, the top 12 positions are reversed.

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Up to now, though reverse grids have been suggested for F1 in the past, it is not a format that has been seriously considered for the top single-seater category. But Domenicali said he is keen to continue tinkering with the format in a bid to provide the best entertainment.

He added: “We are open for that, because I think that is the right thing – to listen to our fans, to try to create something and not to be worried to do mistakes. The one who believes to do no mistakes doesn’t do anything new.”