‘F1 could have at least tried reverse grids’

Mark Scott
Formula 1 rule breaking group created to eliminate 2021 regulations loopholes.

Formula 1 rule breaking group created to eliminate 2021 regulations loopholes.

Haas boss Gunther Steiner would like to have reverse grids introduced before deciding if it is a gimmick or not.

With Formula 1 using Austria and Silverstone for double races as part of a heavily revised 2020 schedule, the idea of bringing reverse grids to the sport for the second part of the double headers was brought to the table.

Mercedes, however, blocked the move from happening with Silver Arrows Toto Wolff describing the format change “as a gimmick”.

Steiner would have liked to have seen it in action before perhaps coming to the same conclusion as the Mercedes chief.

“I’m not against it,” Steiner told Motorsport.com.

“We had an opportunity as we never had two races in the same place week after week.

“So to mix up the order, I think it would have been a good opportunity to try it out and see how it works.

“And then we can decide if it’s a gimmick, if you like it or if you don’t like it. I always say, I’m always prepared to try something.

“Always you need to be strong enough to say that if it didn’t work, you’re not getting stubborn and saying because we tried it you have to do it now [always because] I want to prove myself right.

“If we tried it twice this year…we have two races, and then evaluate afterwards, listen a little bit what the people say, and then say, ‘Hey, is it worthwhile to do or not?’

“If it is a gimmick for F1, let’s be done with that. [We] don’t do it again, because we’re not going to do two races again in the future [anyway] so you’ve got already a way out of it. If it is fantastic, let’s talk about introducing it to all the normal races.

“I’m always for giving you an opportunity to try things, therefore I would have voted for it yes.”

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