Breaking news
Formula 1
Vettel, Hamilton slam "bullshit" reverse-grid race idea
Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton have slammed the idea of reverse grid races in Formula 1 as "bullshit" and completely the wrong thing for the sport.
Jonathan Noble
Published: Sep 21, 2019, 2:57 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Amid ongoing discussions between teams and F1 owners Liberty Media about trialling a few reverse grid qualifying races in 2020, the sport's most successful current drivers have hit out at the idea.
"I don't really know what to say," said a bemused Hamilton when asked in Singapore for his views on the concept.
"The people that proposed that don't really know what they are talking about."
Vettel was even stronger in his criticism, as he said that gimmicks like reverse grids were not the kind of solution that F1 was in need of.
"I think it is complete bullshit, to be honest," he said. "I think we know that if we want to improve things it is very clear we need to string the field more together, we need to have better racing. It is just a plaster.
"I don't know which genius came up with it, but it is not the solution. It is completely the wrong approach."
Read Also:
- The missing answer that reversed grids could bring to F1
- Kvyat says reverse grid races would be a "band aid"
Singapore GP pole position man Charles Leclerc was also distinctly unimpressed at the idea of the fastest people being forced to start from the back.
"I would not be happy," he said. "I am a lot happier to start first tomorrow but I don't think it is the solution for Formula 1.
"The best should win and start in the best place. And not reverse that order. I don't think it is the solution."
The comments of the top stars come after Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat labelled the idea of reverse grids as a "band aid" for F1's real problems.
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 Singapore GP: Leclerc beats Hamilton to pole by 0.191s
Next article Leclerc nearly crashed three times during "crazy" pole lap
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Lewis Hamilton
Why Ferrari failed to deliver on its hype in F1's United States GP qualifying
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
8 h
Why Ferrari failed to deliver on its hype in F1's United States GP qualifying
F1 United States GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
9 h
F1 United States GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Latest news
Marc Marquez: Track conditions were “acceptable” despite Australian GP cancellation
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
4 min
Marc Marquez: Track conditions were “acceptable” despite Australian GP cancellation
Aprilia unsure whether Australian GP cancellation good or bad for the team
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
41 min
Aprilia unsure whether Australian GP cancellation good or bad for the team
How the seven NASCAR Cup title contenders perform at Talladega
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
1 h
How the seven NASCAR Cup title contenders perform at Talladega
MotoGP's final Australian GP at Phillip Island cancelled due to poor weather
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
3 h
MotoGP's final Australian GP at Phillip Island cancelled due to poor weather
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