‘A nice stupidity’: Vettel and Hamilton destroy the reverse grids

In its frantic and permanent quest for spectacle at all costs, the F1 never lacks ideas, more or less crazy and artificial. Thus, the prospect of introducing sprint races whose start would be given via inverted or semi-inverted grids has been floating gently in the air of the paddock for years. 

And the concept could well see the light of day next season if we are to believe the comments of several team bosses in recent weeks. From Singapore, Otmar Szafnauer, boss of Racing Point, revealed that three events could host qualifying races whose starting order would be based on the reverse classification of the Drivers' championship. 

Asked about this potential measure in the wake of qualifying at Marina Bay, Lewis Hamilton et Sebastian Vettel brought out the heavy artillery to shoot down this solution. 

« I don't really know what to tell you honestly, declared Hamilton in the preamble. I think some people don't know what they're talking about ». 

It was then that Vettel continued: “ That’s some nice bullshit. Of course, we need to reduce the gaps between the different cars on the field and offer more action on the track but I don't know who the genius was who had this idea. This is not the solution. It's just a patch ». 

Between the two veterans, the poleman of the day Charles Leclerc was less virulent even if he thinks no less. “ The best driver should always win or start from the top of the grid », Judges the Monegasque. 

Later in the night, Toto wolff said he was happy to see the pilots express their opinion openly » and urged the greatest caution when changing the format of F1 weekends. 

If you thought that the discussions and arguments about the regulatory changes of 2021 were endless, the discussions about 2020 risk taking the same path...