La Formula 1 never ceases to amaze. Season after season, the Circus continues to innovate, offering different news, like those that have also led - over time - to modifying some race weekends. This is the case of Sprint, introduced last year. The “mini-race” on Saturday suffered a series of changes even during this season, too if not everyone agrees with the decisions made.
Russell against the Sprint rule: "I don't like that you can't change the set-up only after FP1"
From this season, the Sprint presents a particular format: Friday we start with FP1, followed by qualifying to find out the starting grid for the Grand Prix. On Saturday morning, however, to decide the starting grid for the Sprint, there will be room for the Sprint Shootout, with the mini-race scheduled for the afternoon. With this format, the drivers only have one free practice session available, before entering the parc fermé regime which prevents them from being able to make changes to the car. A choice not appreciated especially by George Russell which, as Motorsport.com Italia reports, he wanted to express all his dissent: “The current format can be really challenging. I still don't like the fact that you can't change the set-up of the car after Free Practice 1".
"I think it creates an unknown for this sport which, sure, can be exciting, but it's like giving a tennis player his racket an hour before the Wimbledon final and just saying: 'This is what you've got, get over it and go ahead'. And without any preliminary training. That's just not how it works in other sports. I understand why we do it, but it would be nice to be able to make changes at some point during the weekend".
“Essential summer break for everyone”
After the Sprint I turned in Belgium, Russell is enjoying his summer break for now, a fundamental rule to allow all pilots to recharge their energy: “I think – admitted the Mercedes driver – that the summer break is a great thing for all participants in this sport. I think we are all very motivated and determined, each of us feels a bit of a warrior and there is just a desire to keep going, but I think everyone also recognizes the impact of the 2 week break. The break restores and lets you fully recover. But it also brings new ideas on how to improve. I'm happy to see that we, as a sport, have that. And I think we should also talk about it for the winter. Obviously this is more for the engineers and designers on the factory floor. Formula 1 is a brutal, incredibly intense sport. I think it would be a good thing to add it".
SOURCE: Motorsport.com Italy
