Since Liberty Media tookover Formula 1 from Bernie Ecclestone, there has been speculations regarding a lot of changes including the weekend format which Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel reckons is perfect to be touched on.
One of the ideas thrown in was to have two races in a weekend, with the first one like a qualifying race to be held on Saturday while the main race takes place on the usual Sunday – to make it a two-race weekend.
However, the four-time F1 champion has straightaway shunned the idea on the grounds that if there is a sprint race, it will become a ‘different sport’. “No, no, I think the format is fine,” he started, when asked the one thing he would like to change in the sport.
“I think it’s wrong to look at changing the format. It’s not my decision so it’s a bit pointless to talk about it but I wouldn’t be a fan. I think it has been like that for a long time for a reason. I think the 300 kilometer Grand Prix is a Grand Prix.
“If you should make it half, then maybe for some people then a boring race is only half as boring but that’s not the way I look it. I think it’s a challenge, it’s a Grand Prix distance and [when] you do your first race, you [will be] surprised by how long the race can be.
“It’s a physical and mental challenge for that duration and if it becomes a sprint race, I think it would be a different sport in a way and I wouldn’t mess with the format. I think we need to find other ways to get excitement and get the grid together and whatever but not the format.”
In terms of the car technology, Vettel felt it would be good to take the batteries out and double the cylinders. Some of the other drivers though stressed on the current gap between the Top 3 teams and the midfield, which no doubt they would like to trim it down.
“My main target would be to make it more competitive,” said Force India’s Sergio Perez. “At the moment we seem to have got used to talking about two groups in Formula One, whether they are a midfield group and the front runners.
“I would like to make it a lot closer so that everyone can have the chance to fight for victories or podiums and I think that would make the sport a lot bigger.” He found support in Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg.
The Kiwi, however, added that he likes the sport pushes to the limits for technology which he would like to see more, but at a simpler level for fans to understand. Meanwhile, Hulkenberg said he would like to have more wheel-to-wheel battles.