Formula 1 introduced Sprint races back in 2021 to increase racing excitement over a weekend. Double the racing, double the excitement, right? That was F1’s goal, and considering it increased the number of Sprint weekends from three to six this year, while also changing the format, it’s worked. If excitement is what F1 is chasing, why not look to increase it even further? Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz may have just given the perfect way to do this.

Remember the 2021 Brazilian GP weekend? Lewis Hamilton started the Sprint from the back of the grid. After 24 laps around Interlagos, he was already up to P5. On Sunday, for the main race, he started in 10 and went on to win the race. How would any of that have happened had Hamilton not started out of position? This brings us to the question: are reverse grids the way to go? More importantly, are they even necessary?

Sergio Perez may not get his Sprint format 

A few weeks ago, Carlos Sainz was featured on P1 With Matt & Tommy’s YouTube channel. He said, “I would still do the Sprint weekends, [but in] a reverse championship order grid. Just imagine. Let’s say Max [Verstappen] starting last, the Ferraris starting P16 or 14th, 13th. The whole field would be closing on each other.” Last weekend, in Brazil, Perez echoed Sainz’s comments. He said, “I would propose a reverse grid or something like that, to make it more interesting for the fans because I don’t think it’s working, what we want to achieve.”

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The topic of reverse grids for Sprints has become quite popular in the F1 paddock. In light of this, former Ferrari General Manager Peter Windsor addressed the topic in a recent livestream. He said, “Do we have to? What’s wrong with Formula 1 at the moment? We’ve got plenty of good stuff going on and I just don’t see the need for that.” He revealed what he thinks F1 should do instead. “I see a much greater need for a B-division World Championship for a lot of the young drivers who can’t get into Formula 1. For a lot of countries who want to be in Formula 1 but can’t get in because they don’t have quite enough money, or they don’t have space on the calendar,” Windsor explained.

Windsor then called out the former F1 owner and FIA President. “Bernie [Ecclestone] and Max [Mosley] never wanted to talk about that because they always felt that it would detract from the big picture. But I think Liberty [Media] have a slightly more Catholic view of things and that’s where we should go. If we’re going to do something radical, I’d much rather we do that.” Max Verstappen would certainly like Windsor’s thinking, seeing as he’s so averse to the Sprint concept.

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Windsor isn’t the only one who thinks getting into F1 is becoming increasingly difficult for young drivers. Williams’ Team Principal James Vowles had something similar to say, too.

The Sprint format is detrimental to young, rookie drivers

F1 is a limited sport. Only 20 drivers at a particular time can compete in it. That’s why there is a need to at least consider what Windsor suggested, not just for the growth of drivers but also for the growth of the sport. Until something like a B-division comes into play, though, the F1 scene isn’t going to get any easier, especially not for rookies. James Vowles explained this taking Liam Lawson as an example. When Daniel Ricciardo joined AlphaTauri and fractured his hand, the rookie from New Zealand stepped in and did an amazing job. Now that Ricciardo’s back, he’s had to step aside. 

The thing is, Lawson proved he’s deserving of an F1 seat. It’s just that Red Bull has no place for him at the moment. Addressing this, Vowles said, “I think we as a sport have a responsibility to perhaps relook at the rules and say, ‘How do we introduce rookie drivers to it?’ You can see Liam will be sidelined, but I think he’s absolutely deserving of a seat on this grid. It’s a reflection of these difficult Sprint race formats, followed by one-hour sessions, followed by a lack of opportunity to grow.” 

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What would you prefer? A reverse grid for Sprints like Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz, or a B-division for younger drivers?