The newest change to Method 1’s dash races has did not win the assist of many drivers, a few of which stated they like the earlier model.
F1 has modified the format for the fourth time in as a few years since its introduction in 2021. The revised format might be used for the second time this weekend having been launched on the earlier spherical in China.
F1 has moved the dash race qualifying session to Friday, adopted by the dash race early on Saturday, then qualifying for the grand prix later that day. The change additionally provides groups the chance to change their vehicles’ set-ups between Saturday’s two periods, whereas beforehand they had been locked in to their chosen configuration from Friday.
Nonetheless a number of drivers had been unenthusiastic about their first expertise of the revised format. “I’ve to say, truly, I most likely most popular the outdated format myself,” stated Valtteri Bottas.
“There was just one apply and the qualifying straight after was for the principle race, so there was a bit extra at stake. And in addition to with the set-up, you wouldn’t have the second likelihood to regulate it, so I favored {that a} bit earlier than what we had final 12 months.”
Others discovered it unusual to go from race tempo in Saturday’s first session again to qualifying trim later within the day.
“I would like having dash quali after which having the GP quali the subsequent morning,” stated Logan Sargeant. “I don’t assume it’s nice having a Dash race the place you’re a lot slower than a qualifying lap after which straight to quali.”
Advert | Develop into a RaceFans supporter and
Oscar Piastri agreed. “I felt a bit of bit bizarre having the dash race, as a result of it’s clearly a race in itself, type of, after which making ready once more for qualifying – it sort of feels just like the race needs to be [at] the top of the day.”
Nonetheless not like Bottas, Piastri appreciated the change to the parc ferme guidelines which allowed group to make extra adjustments to their vehicles. “I believe opening up parc ferme was a very good factor for the drivers and the engineers.
“I’m unsure the mechanics appreciated it that a lot, however I believe to repeat a number of the stuff that occurred final 12 months, you recognize, with like, Lewis [Hamilton] and Charles [Leclerc] getting disqualified, I believe we don’t need to see folks getting disqualified as a result of they set their journey heights a bit flawed they usually can’t change. I believe that was a very good step ahead.”
Others raised issues over the pressure put upon the mechanics by the change to the parc ferme guidelines. “Opening the parc ferme I believe places a whole lot of workload on the mechanics and I believe it’s one thing that we actually have to have a look at it,” stated Sergio Perez.
“It’s 24 weekends a season and with these dash races I believe it’s a whole lot of load on our mechanics. So I believe whether or not we have a look at it, change the format a bit to principally attempt to take care of our folks a bit of bit extra as a sport, I believe that’s one thing actually to have a look at it.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is pushing to develop the format past the present six rounds per season. Nonetheless Sargeant stated: “I might simply desire 24 regular weekends. Go away it at that.”
Advert | Develop into a RaceFans supporter and
2024 Miami Grand Prix
Browse all 2024 Miami Grand Prix articles
