Russell: The inverted grid idea won’t work.

Formula 1 continues to discuss options to change the format of the sprint race weekends for next season. One of the proposals being expressed is a reverse grid, but Mercedes driver George Russell is skeptical about this idea.

George Russell: “I can’t speak for all drivers, but I don’t think the inverted grille idea would work. I was convinced of that when I took part in Formula 3 and Formula 2. When it comes to the ten fastest cars, the hardest thing to avoid is the one you’re directly competing with.

In a reverse grid, the fastest car starts tenth and attempts to pass the second-fastest car starting ninth, which in turn attempts to pass the third-fastest car in eighth. In fact, everyone tries to stay ahead of their strongest rival.

If we have reversible schedules, this will simply lead to everyone getting on the DRS train. We will have Williams driving behind Haas without the ability to overtake, and Alpine driving behind Williams and also unable to overtake, and behind them McLaren and so on. I don’t think the concept will work.”

George Russell believes the best way to make a sprint interesting is to add an element of tire strategy: “The best sprints were those where there was a lot of tire wear, like in Qatar, and the riders used different strategies.

There was a similar situation in Brazil, when the tires lasted about 25 laps and we saw a good race. But more often than not you put on Medium tires in a sprint and drive to the finish, so it’s not an interesting race.”