It’s complete bullsh*t – Vettel responds to F1 grid reversal proposal

Formula 1’s leading drivers including Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, rejected a possible reversal of the starting grid to ‘liven up’ the sport.

The owners of the world’s premier motorsport series are looking into ways to make the sport more appealing to viewers and among the suggestions has been reversing the grid.

It is incredibly difficult to see how the sport would achieve grid reversal while maintaining the integrity of the sport unless they intend to do away with qualifying. Qualifying sessions are a television event in themselves and scrapping them could have e negative impact on viewership figures and in turn revenue generated from TV deals.

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Formula 1’s drive to make the sport safe and sustainable has also put in place rules that make overtaking difficult, draining some of the excitement from the sport.

The idea is one that probably came from a focus group or other body completely divorced from the practical running of the motorsport.

Vettel leads stern opposition to the move

The proposal bemused former World Champion Vettel and he gave a candid response when asked about the idea ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

“I think it’s complete bullshit, to be honest,” he said. “I don’t know which genius came up with this but it’s not the solution. It’s completely the wrong approach.”

Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix polesitter Charles LeClerc was less emphatic in his opposition. The 21-year-old agreed with his Ferrari teammate though that the move was not the solution to Formula 1’s perceived entertainment value problem.

“I’m a lot happier to start first tomorrow but yeah, I don’t think it’s the solution for Formula One,” LeClerc said.

“I think the best shall win and start in the best place and not reversing that order. I don’t think it’s the solution.”

Reigning World Champion and driver’s standings leader Lewis Hamilton shared Vettel’s confusion regarding where an idea like this one has come from saying:

“I don’t really know what to say to it. People that propose that don’t really know what they’re talking about.”

Hamilton’s team boss at Mercedes, Toto Wolff said changes to the weekend format risked putting off the sport’s core fanbase.

“My opinion is we have a really strong weekend format,” he said.

“We should be very careful with experimenting with audiences of hundreds of millions throughout the season.”

The sport remains well supported globally but viewership has been trending downwards for some time, something Liberty are understandably keen on addressing as soon as possible.