Formula One’s chief executive, Stefano Domenicali, is contemplating two significant changes to the sport, including the introduction of reverse grid races, which he believes would be the ‘right thing’ for fans. The former Ferrari team principal is also considering increasing the number of sprint events in the F1 calendar, with currently only six out of 24 races incorporating a sprint element into their competitive weekend.
Reverse grids are already a feature in the Formula Two and Formula Three calendars, where the top 10 qualifying order is reversed for the sprint race, with fewer points up for grabs. Both proposals have faced opposition in the past, with racing heavyweights such as Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel criticising the idea of reverse grids, while Max Verstappen has previously voiced his disapproval of extending sprint events.
However, Domenicali believes it’s crucial to push the sport forward. Speaking to The Race, he said: “I do believe there are possibilities to extend two things, which we need to discuss, both with the drivers and the teams, and, of course, with the FIA.
“They are: can we apply that [sprints] with more races? And is this the right formula to have the possibility to have a reversed grid, as we are doing with F2 and F3? These are points of discussion. I think that we are getting there to be mature to make sure that this point will be tackled seriously with the teams.”
Domenicali continued: “The vibes to progress in this direction are definitely growing, and therefore I’m ready to present and to discuss not only more sprints, but if there are new formats, new ideas. We are open for that [reverse grids]. because I think that’s the right thing, to listen to our fans, to try to create something, and not to be worried to do mistakes. The one who believes to do no mistakes doesn’t do anything new.”
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At the very minimum, sprint events are unlikely to vanish – the F1 chief executive believes expanding them is crucial. “I think that the sprint, whatever will be the right format, we need to have it,” Domenicali declared. “It will represent the future. I think that, between six and 24, we have to do steps into the middle.”
F1’s four-time world champion has previously voiced his support for traditional weekends. “I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but sometimes, of course, what I think is right some people don’t agree with, but I just think as a pure racer, what is right,” Verstappen remarked in 2023.
“When you’re running a business, it’s sometimes different what is right. I guess it’s just a difference in opinion.” McLaren sensation Lando Norris shared similar sentiments. “I don’t want to have a sprint race every single weekend,” he stated. “I think it’s still important to have what we’ve had for many years. I think that’s what makes Formula 1 exciting and cool.”