Seidl: Reverse grids won't harm F1's DNA

  • Published on 27 Sep 2019 12:02
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl says Formula 1's DNA is not at risk with the potential introduction of a revised weekend format.

F1 is exploring the possibility of changing the format of a race weekend at a handful of events next season, adding a second race to the schedule to determine the grid for Sunday's race. 

Seidl says that McLaren is open to trying new ideas, as long as the DNA of the sport is not harmed - and the German doesn't believe that it will be should F1 change up its format next year. 

"It's still early days in terms of details and what is on the table to discuss," Seidl told Sky F1. "In principle, for McLaren, we support to try different stuff.

"We should all be open in the paddock to try different stuff as long as we don't touch the DNA of Formula 1. But I think this is not in danger with different proposals that are around.

"Again, it is still early days and I would also like to discuss it first with the teams, the FIA and Formula 1 behind closed doors because I don't think there is much benefit for all of us to have all these different, wild stories around which are going through the paddock at the moment."

McLaren 'pleased' with 2021 direction

With the new 2021 regulations set to be signed off in just over one month, Seidl admits that there are "alliances" within the field that have different interests to other teams.

Seidl adds that McLaren is nevertheless pleased with the direction that the 2021 regulations are heading, and believes all will be ready for confirmation at the end of October.

"For sure, there are different interests around and some alliances also," he said. "I can only talk for ourselves, we as McLaren want to be a major player in the sport.

"We are an independent team and we can speak for ourselves. This is what we're doing in these meetings. We are very happy with what we've seen so far.

"It's normal that we're still having these discussions, but we have full trust the FIA and F1 to pull through now, we like what is on the table and we fully support it."

Replies (4)

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  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Gimmicks over racing !

    • + 0
    • Sep 27 2019 - 18:11
  • How would that even work? They'll always want to be at the best possible positions, meaning they will just sandbag until P1. Keep the current system. It works, and it works incredibly well.

    • + 0
    • Sep 27 2019 - 18:26
    • f1ski

      Posts: 726

      if teams play games that upset others from setting a lap impose a penalty where at the next race or session they must post a time in the first half and cannot run again in that session.

      • + 0
      • Sep 27 2019 - 20:51
    • But they'd have to penalize everyone. Nobody will want to be the fastest, so they will all act sluggish come quali.

      • + 0
      • Sep 28 2019 - 07:17

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