F1 CEO Domenicali on potential reverse grid sprint races: 'Why not?'

Since its first appearance on the F1 calendar at Silverstone in 2021, the sprint format has been consistently criticised by drivers and pundits alike. In 2021, there were three sprints. In 2024, six sprint races will take place in a calendar which already has 24 races on it. A balance must be struck to make sure teams and drivers are not fatigued. With too many races, F1 may lose a portion of its unique pull. Domenicali, however, wants to increase the number of sprints across the year, as he believes more entertainment is provided by it. “I think that we are not in a position to say that we're going to be like MotoGP, for example, with a full race calendar situation of sprints. But there is a margin to grow, maybe for one-third of the calendar. That could be a possibility of course," the Italian began. 

Domenicali 'Why should we not try reverse grids?'

A reverse grid system, seen in F2 and F3 appears to have been thought of by Domenicali. "We can really once again discuss if there is the need to reverse the grid, or half of the grid, like what F2 and F3 are doing. So these are always things to keep the mind alive, if I may say, with the intent to keep something always interesting. Personally, I would say, why not? It's a lot of action. It is overtaking. You're fighting for points." Domenicali, however, knows that many would criticise a reverse grid system in F1 due to its novelty. "Some people can say, ‘Oh, it is a fake way of racing.’ Fake? There is nothing fake related to what you believe is the right format to produce great action. So I would be interested to discuss that again.

"I think that we are on the right path (with the development of the sprint). We are doing the right things, and the excitement that we bring in the sprint race is very clear because a lot of promoters would like to have them." Domenicali concludes.