Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo isn’t a huge fan of the upcoming ‘party mode’ ban that could be enforced as early as the Italian Grand Prix. There are conflicting reports over when the FIA will abolish engine modes in qualy, but the change is coming – sooner or later.
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For the uninitiated, the ‘party mode’ ban is a restriction that stops teams from turning their engines up during the final stages of qualifying. This engine mode is the secret behind Mercedes’ ability to carve out a sizeable advantage in Q3.
Don’t think I want that to be changed: Daniel Ricciardo
The FIA is looking to put an end to that enormous gap that suddenly appears in the dying stages of qualy. When quizzed on the upcoming restrictions, Ricciardo wasn’t too pleased with the governing body’s latest rule change.
The Honey Badger pointed out the merits and sheer thrill of pushing a car to the absolute limit for a single lap.
“I missed that headline, that’s the first I’ve heard,” Ricciardo said. “My initial answer is no [I don’t welcome it] because I like going all out on Saturday and I think that’s what qualifying is really for. But if there’s more to it then I probably won’t answer too much more.
“The thought of going fast and even from a pure performance point of view for an F1 car to be singing as loud as it can on one lap. And for the engine guys to be trying to squeeze everything, I think that’s also cool.
“So that concept I love. I don’t think I want that to be changed but I’d better find out more!”
Esteban Ocon echoed the Australian’s views and wasn’t too enthusiastic about the forthcoming ban either.
As things stand, the team that’s likely to be most affected by the engine mode restriction is the Mercedes Formula 1 team. The Brackley-based outfit has made a habit of turning their engines up to set seemingly impossible lap times in Q3.
However, the ‘party mode’ ban won’t hinder the team or radically shake up qualifying in any way. Mercedes could very well continue to lockout front rows, albeit with smaller margins.
More importantly, team boss Toto Wolff revealed how the engine mode ban allows Mercedes to push harder during the race.
