Sep.13 - Jean Todt says he will not block Formula 1 from adopting a controversial 'reverse grid' format in 2021.

The idea, which was voted down by the teams for this season, is still being championed by F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn, who vowed last week to try again for 2021.

At Mugello, Williams' George Russell said starting on pole and being easily passed by faster cars would make him "look like an idiot".

And on Saturday, dominant F1 team Mercedes' boss Toto Wolff said the move risked turning the sport into WWE wrestling or the TV show Big Brother.

"To be honest, I don't like it," FIA president Todt agreed, according to the Russian source sports.ru.

"But if everyone is happy and agrees, I will not stop it. I will support the decision and give it a chance."

Todt, however, thinks a better idea would be a 30-minute sprint race on Saturday, which would replace qualifying and determine the grid for Sunday's GP.

"I think that would be interesting," said the Frenchman. "But racing with a reverse grid is abnormal and unnatural. I don't think it's a race.

"You don't know this, but I was a big opponent of the reverse grid in Formula 3 and Formula 2. I don't like the idea," Todt added.

Another good idea, Todt explains, is Formula E's 'super pole shootout' concept, in which the top five drivers take to the circuit one by one at the end of the session.

"I would do something similar in Formula 1. It's natural," he said.

"The problem with people in Formula 1 is that it is almost impossible to make changes."


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7 F1 Fan comments on “Todt will not stop 'reverse grid' decision

  1. ReallyOldRacer

    F1's continuing intractable attitude toward IndyCar amazes me. Have you guys even WATCHED an Indy quali session. It works. I am not comparing IndyCar series to F1 so don't go crazy on me. :-)

  2. Damon Griffiths

    I think Q3 should be replaced by the top 10 having a shoot out for pole. Each car gets 3 Consecutive laps to do their Attempt best time solo on the track. That way you don’t have other drivers messing up other people hot laps. As they often only get one or two chances.

    • ReallyOldRacer

      Great idea "back in the day" because data was limited and everyone was constantly tweaking to gain speed. Now, it would be one "banker" lap first 10 min, 40 min of empty track and then 10 min of speed.


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