2023-11-02 08:45:40
And Max Verstappen I estimate that F1 “should just get rid of sprint weekends”, others still want to give the format a chance despite growing criticism. Boss of the Dutchman at Red BullChristian Horner is one of them but he too does not fail to scratch the rules in force during the six Grands Prix concerned, and more particularly that of parc ferme.
In 2023, the sprint weekends are designed in such a way that the single-seaters enter the parc ferme regime from Friday at the end of the single free practice session. From then on, the drivers are stuck for all other sessions with the chosen settings. A constraint which contributed to the errors made in Austin at Mercedes et Ferrarileading to disqualifications of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc on Sunday due to excessive wear of the pad under the floor.
We also saw both Aston Martin and both Haas start the race from the pit lane in Texas, after having chosen to completely change their settings and thus break the parc ferme rule.
“For me, parc ferme is a bit of a joke”deplores Christian Horner. “We have a session to tune the car, and then the engineers might as well go home from then on. That needs to be looked at, and I’m sure it’s a contributing factor to the problems with the ride height of the teams who have broken the regulations. In fact, it is just a long stint in a sprint race. And there is no real risk, nor any real motivation.”
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This is the second outing in a short time for Christian Horner, the Briton having called the day after the United States Grand Prix to find alternatives to spice up sprint races. Changes that he believes should be made by consulting the public more.
“We should really talk to the fans and get their opinions”avance Christian Horner. “What do they want? I think it would be interesting to look at the data at the end of the year to see how popular the sprint race was, because it’s the fans that count. The reason we do sprint races is to try to provide more entertainment and create a more attractive event.”
“We have to be honest with ourselves at the end of the year, when we have done all the sprint races, and say: ‘OK, what can we do better? What can we learn? And how can we improve the show?’ If the drivers like it and find it rewarding, if the teams find it rewarding, then the fans will end up liking it.”
This weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix is the final sprint format event this season.
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