One other boring dash race at the USA Grand Prix, which had triggered a surprising lack of interest from fans as ticket sales took a hit, has prompted a perception that one thing wants to vary.
And whereas F1 is wholly dedicated to holding dash weekends as a part of the championship long run, sources have indicated that grand prix racing’s bosses are eyeing a daring shake-up.
Whereas formal proposals haven’t but been put ahead for potential adjustments to the dash format that would come as early as 2024, Autosport has discovered that casual discussions have begun within the paddock about what may be performed to spice issues up.
Sources have indicated that F1 isn’t afraid to be aggressive in completely overhauling the dash slightly than simply enjoying round with the perimeters.
It’s understood that a number of radical concepts are already being floated round for consideration.
These embody turning the Saturdays right into a standalone F1 Dash championship, so any factors earned on a Saturday don’t depend for the primary F1 championships.
This is able to additionally assist keep away from a repeat of the situation in Qatar the place the drivers’ crown was received in a dash occasion slightly than the primary grand prix.
One concept to encourage drivers to take the dash format extra severely could possibly be to get a sponsor on board and provide a serious money prize for the winners – that would stretch to $1 million.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23, Sergio Perez, Purple Bull Racing RB19, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Additional parts to make the dash stand out from the primary grand prix may embody a reverse grid format, with both the highest ten being switched and even your complete order being shuffled again to entrance.
Grid positions for such a dash could possibly be determined by reverse championship order, or based mostly on a qualifying format that also inspired groups to push for a very good lap time.
The rising momentum behind the necessity for a change to the dash comes after Purple Bull workforce boss Christian Horner advised in Austin that the present guidelines weren’t adequate.
He stated: “I believe you’ve got so as to add a bit extra jeopardy to it.
“Whether or not you do a reverse the highest 10 or one thing, you have to add sufficient factors to it to make it well worth the drivers to essentially go for it.”
However not all workforce bosses are so open to such a dramatic change of format to the dash.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff felt happening the reverse grid route was not proper for F1, which had lengthy been recognized for its purity of competitors.
“I am conservative in racing,” he stated when requested by Autosport for his views on the matter.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-23, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60, Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing RB19, the remainder of the sector on the opening lap of the Dash race
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“I would slightly haven’t any dash races than if you happen to begin to meddle. Much more with reverse grid races, we’re going in direction of junior formulae the place sport follows leisure, whereas leisure ought to comply with sport.
“Creating synthetic gaming across the dash race on a Saturday isn’t the way in which that I might favour personally. However that is my opinion.
“All groups, along with Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO], we simply want to consider what’s finest.”