F1 teams agreed for a mini race in qualifying on Saturday. Ahead of a planned major overhaul of F1’s rules coming for 2021, Formula One owners Liberty Media want to evaluate different ideas – including Saturday qualifying races – at a number of grands prix next season to see if they could be introduced permanently. Formula One Managing Director of Motorsports and technical director Ross Brawn believes that the only way the sport could ensure that changes would be better would be to try them out during the next season. “I would like to see us in 2020 try a few things,” Ross Brawn recently told Sky. “I think in 2020 we have a stable platform with the cars and things aren’t changing that much, and I think 2020 could be a good opportunity at one or two races to try some variations. I don’t see any other way that we logically progress the race format. I think the basic race format is good, but would a sprint race be interesting or some variation in qualifying be interesting?” According to the Italian daily newspaper dedicated to coverage of various sports ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’, Scuderia Ferrari confirmed that all Formula 1 teams including Ferrari agreed for a mini race in qualifying on Saturday that will determine the grid for the Sunday race: “All teams have said yes, including us. So in 2020 it will be done.” – Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto is quoted as saying. http://scuderiafans.com/ferrari-confirm-all-teams-agree-for-a-mini-race-in-qualifying-on-saturday-next-season/?fbclid=IwAR3qSxhC2lA9HuoZy-PENURacMHaqiVSHhaVDzshTmOa-ueEE50oiiIbrDQ
Grid set by fastest lap in P3? Doesn’t matter when during the session, just the fastest one you put on the board. By P3 most teams aren’t testing any more and are basically in Quali set up. (I might be missing something, but it’s a thought...)
I like the idea of a qualifying race on saturday to determine the grid on Sunday. In fact I would agree more changes to the present format that becomes stale. I hope points would be awarded for the qualifying race too.
And what about engine allowances and the like. And tyres? They will screw their engines in these mini races and be out of the main event, or penalised grid places Waste of time unless they relax these dumbass rules Forza Ferrari..... the only racing team and car marque that matters. Italia forever It’s easier to apologise than it is to ask permission
Not a fan of qualifying races or inverted grids. IndyCar tried double headers a few years back. I think the format makes the first race extra cautious. Inverted grids just don't seem like they should have a place in F1. I really don't like them in F2, either. Back when I was a kid...it seemed like the talent (and the best prepared teams) would dominate. I don't see anything wrong with that. On the other hand, I miss the glamour of the grid girls, and less crowded pre-race grids with celebrities I'm not interested in watching.
Thinking out loud here, imagine a williams on pole position...1st laps already tends to be messy, imagine with an absurd rate of overtakes...
So, there's a certain kind of sanctity (I think) about having the one and only race on Sunday, its THE race. We don't need a preview race, a mini race, a practice race, a warm up race, or whatever ridiculous marketing term F1 and the FIA are going to come up with to justify spicing up the show by adding more variability and complexity. The fact that all the teams agreed to this is a clear indicator of how much F1 has lost its way. This is right up there with reverse grids and artificial rain...
Maybe they should consider having three stages that award points during the first two thirds of the season with the final third of the season being an elimination run off until a champion is crowned! That should pack in the fans and keep us glued to the TV.
Races I’ve enjoyed the most where the ones red flagged and then restarted. Why not do two races on a Sunday and keep qualifying?
Yee-haw! And when them ol’ boys wreck they can say, “It wuzz jiss wunna them raycin’ deeulz.” in various accents.......
I like the idea of 2 short races, each counting for points, instead of a long one. We could do away with the mandatory tyre change, and have 2 sprint races (50 mins each). It would be more entertaining than the present system with strategy calls, tyre management, "lift-and-coast", etc The public would be treated with 2 starts, 2 flat-out races, 2 victory parades, 2 prize giving ceremonies, etc ...
Very often, if we want to progress, we have to shove traditions aside. F1 is suffering from a shrinking audience, the fizz is gone flat, so maybe the FIA and Liberty have to be a bit inventive to revive interest. The GP format has to change, IMO.
