Groups are pushing closely for alterations to the present group system that disadvantages the factors leaders, they usually desire a new format in place for subsequent season – moderately than watch for the appearance of the Gen3 guidelines in 2022-23.
Sequence boss Jamie Reigle has already confirmed to Autosport that any adjustments will observe Components E customized and are “not going to be standard”, however there’s little consensus between the championship, groups and the FIA as to what form qualifying should take.
Di Grassi reckons organisers “should not even positive what they need” in respect as to if it’s higher for, as per this season, 18 drivers to stay in mathematical title rivalry forward of the ultimate spherical or push to create repeat winners who might be “heroes”.
He informed Autosport: “The [current] one-lap state of affairs might be the worst of all the probabilities, so it wants to vary. You [need to] utterly assume outdoors of the field.
The 2016-17 champion di Grassi has come ahead with a radically completely different proposal that will function drivers drag racing close to to main landmarks within the week main as much as a race.
He defined: “The definition of the teams or some pre-definition of qualifying can be a drag race held one week earlier than the occasion within the metropolis that we race.
The Audi driver reckons Components E ought to transfer to higher promote the acceleration of electrical automobiles, which is a significant headline-grabber within the automotive business.
He continued: “What do you have to showcase [the cars]? Quick acceleration. What do most people perceive: they see who arrives first. That is the winner.
“Think about you do an occasion one week earlier than: London Bridge, Instances Sq., San Francisco. You’re taking the automotive there and with 100% battery, you are able to do 100 begins.
Lucas Di Grassi, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, on the drivers parade
Picture by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Images
“Think about you must do a drag race, four-wheel-drive, 450kWh [600bhp]. The automotive will speed up quicker than F1, so no person can say the automobiles are gradual.
“Then use that to outline [the groups] for qualifying and even outline the grid. That is one thing utterly out of the field, which is what Components E ought to be .
“You are able to do it at night time, with lights, you are able to do it in locations the place you’d by no means have the ability to do a race, like in entrance of Buckingham Palace. You simply want partitions for a sure straight.
“It is going to be about driver response time and the distinction can be very small.
“It will depend on software program, on {hardware}, on how a lot you warmth the tyres… so many variables.
Whereas di Grassi admitted his idea was unlikely to return to fruition, regardless of pitching it to the FIA’s director of Components E Frederic Bertrand, he cited it for example of the measures the collection ought to be taking to spice up its viewers.
“No one’s watching qualifying actually, so we have to create a bit bit extra consideration. That is what the way forward for Components E must do.
“It must create leisure, a easy approach of understanding – not assault mode, overusing vitality – no person actually understands the entire image.
‘[But] the possibility of this taking place could be very low, as a result of individuals are afraid of huge adjustments.”
Di Grassi concluded: “The advertising for electrical automobiles is the 0 to 100km/h [sprint]. On this, Components E can beat Components 1.
“In the meanwhile, folks have the impression that Components E automobiles are gradual, simple to drive.
“We’ll change utterly the notion, which for me is one thing already Positive.”