Breaking news
Formula 1
Steiner: F1 format experiments worth it as 2021 won't fix all
Haas team boss Gunther Steiner says Formula 1 experimenting with race formats in 2020 is worth it because the 2021 regulations won't be a cure-all for the championship's current problems.
Valentin Khorounzhiy
Edited: Oct 3, 2019, 2:23 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Formula 1 bosses have been keen to trial revised grand prix weekend formats in 2020, but the proposal to try out with a reverse-grid qualifying race at select events was met with strong opposition from the championship's drivers.
Asked by Motorsport.com which side of the debate he fell on, Steiner said that he was "not against" format experiments but stressed it would be important for F1 to be "brave enough" to acknowledge if the new formats aren't working out.
"Sometimes you have to experiment because how do you otherwise find out if it works or not, if you don't try it?" Steiner said.
"I mean, we can do simulations - if we do simulations, we end up [saying] 'we're not going to do it', because there is a risk involved. Every change involves a risk, nobody wants change.
"So, I support it, with the caveat that, if it doesn't work, let's be honest about it and don't continue to do it.
"The drivers, where they are right is saying the field is not close together enough. I mean, we know that. What can we do about that? The budget cap.
"At the moment the budget cap is still too big. So, if the front drivers are not happy with that, they need to tell their teams to get the budget cap down."
Read Also:
The FIA and the teams have agreed a $175 million spending cap that will kick in 2021, but several midfield teams have made it clear this was a high threshold - with Renault saying it could actually prompt it to increase spending and Racing Point advocating for it to be reduced down the line.
Steiner continued: "I understand that they [the drivers] would like to race all 20 [together], same as we want - everyone's working on that idea, but if we want it quick, I think the only way to do it would be an even further reduced budget cap, which is very difficult to do for the big teams.
"We agreed on that one, and therefore we need to go through a phase where we still have a little bit of - hopefully less than we've got now - gap between the top three and the rest."
Asked whether this was why he was open to trialling new formats in 2020, Steiner said : "Yes. We can always experiment, you know? And I don't think we do anything wrong, because at least you do an experiment, a lot of people watch it and give an opinion, and then you can decide if the experiment works or not.
"I personally don't feel a need for [reversed-grid qualifying races], but FOM wants to test it, we are part of this thing and it's not about us, it's about the sport.
"They are the experts and promoter, it's their show. So, we need to try to help them to make the show better, in my opinion."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Spanish team targets 2021 Formula 1 entry
Next article Williams explains why it parked Kubica in Russia
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Valentin Khorounzhiy
WTCR's April opener cancelled due to coronavirus
WTCR
WTCR
Hungaroring
WTCR's April opener cancelled due to coronavirus
Australian GP issues update on nine F1 paddock coronavirus tests
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Australian GP issues update on nine F1 paddock coronavirus tests
Motorsport Games unveils 15 disciplines for 2020
General
General
Motorsport Games unveils 15 disciplines for 2020
More from
Haas F1 Team
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Esteban Ocon responds to Haas signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Esteban Ocon responds to Haas signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027
Latest news
Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
52 min
Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'
Kyle Busch Remembered: Rowdy's wildest and most impressive Talladega moments
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
1 h
Kyle Busch Remembered: Rowdy's wildest and most impressive Talladega moments
Lamborghini World Finals PRO-PRO/AM Race 2: Leitch/Stasi dominate to seal title
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
2 h
Lamborghini World Finals PRO-PRO/AM Race 2: Leitch/Stasi dominate to seal title
Toto Wolff reveals he is actively vetting “two or three people” to replace him at Mercedes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Toto Wolff reveals he is actively vetting “two or three people” to replace him at Mercedes
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe