Carlos Sainz on the first thing he would change in F1

Yesterday we quoted Daniel Ricciardo’s answer to the question of what he would change first in Formula 1. The next driver asked about this by P1 video podcast hosts Matt Gallagher and Tommy Bellingham was Carlos Sainz.

He proposed two options, and they were heard in different parts of the next episode of the podcast: The Spanish Ferrari driver did not have a ready answer, so he decided to return to this topic again. But both options are interesting in their own way. So Carlos was asked to name one Formula 1 rule he would change first, and explain why it was worth it.

“It’s a difficult question, but if I had to say one thing, I would suggest that we all race Formula 3 cars in Macau once a year,” Sainz replied 14 minutes into his conversation with Matt and Tommy. – That would be incredibly interesting! Just imagine: 20 Formula 1 drivers will compete in Macau!

It is possible that on this city circuit, even if we drive identical cars, there will be some variation in the results, but if we are all literally sent to Barcelona tomorrow, then under normal weather conditions in qualifying mode each driver will have six sets of new soft tires at his disposal, the difference will be in the results, there will be no more than 0.5 seconds between the first and the last.

And if you go to Silverstone next weekend, the man who finished 20th in Barcelona could end up 3rd or 4th. Because a week ago, for example, he simply didn’t feel like it. But again, all results will be within half a second, six tenths maximum.”

But this was only the first, spontaneous answer to the question. And when Carlos thought for a moment, he suggested another option at the end of the half-hour conversation.

“That’s what just occurred to me,” he said. – On the weekends in which the sprint is held, I would still propose to form the starting field for Saturday’s race according to the reverse principle: in the reverse order of the riders in the individual competition of the championship.

Imagine: Max Verstappen starts last. Ferrari drivers are around 14th or 16th position. And if at the same time we award points to the top ten, then from fourteenth place I would have estimated that I could reach the top ten or even the top five. Max, who starts twentieth, will of course also be confident that he can reach the top ten. And those who start the race around 8th position will understand that this may be their only chance to earn points all year.

In general, those who start from the front row will fight as if this is the most important race of their lives. And then we will see an incredibly exciting battle on the track! At the same time, the sprint will have no influence on the main race of the weekend, which everyone wants to win anyway.

By the way, some racers have already proposed such an idea. If you want a really interesting sprint weekend, make Saturday’s race different from the Grand Prix. Why not try?..”