Max Verstappen is not at all happy with the format that the FIA and Pirelli want to test for the first time during qualifying in Imola at the end of May. The Dutchman thinks that this new format is mainly ‘for show’.
In Imola, the FIA wants to test a new format during qualifying. The aim is to have all drivers on the same tire per qualifying session. During Q1 this would be the hard tyre, during Q2 the medium tyre, and during Q3 the softest tyre. Besides tackling the variation in tires used during a qualifying session, there is another important reason for this new format. The FIA would have calculated that it would save two sets of tires per team. Instead of thirteen sets per race weekend, each driver would then need eleven. It is especially beneficial for Pirelli, which therefore has to transport far fewer sets of tires to a race weekend and therefore has a lesser impact on the environment. This is something Formula 1 wants to work towards, with the test in Imola being the first attempt.
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Verstappen not very enthusiastic
Verstappen is opposite Reuters critical of the idea of the FIA, especially in the sporting field. He addresses the motorsport body. “When it’s cold in Imola, you’re hanging. It’s the same for everyone, but I don’t think we should do this kind of thing in qualifying. I don’t really see the benefit of it. It’s better if we make sure that all the cars are close together and more competitive rather than trying to spice things up like this.” According to Verstappen, the goal of the FIA is clear. “I think it’s probably for show.” Sergio Pérez and Charles Leclerc share the opinion of the Dutchman.
2023
In 2023, the FIA is already doing a lot to make the sport more entertaining for fans, often to the frustration of drivers. For example, the number of sprint races will increase to six in 2023. There were three more in 2021 and 2022. This new experiment, in addition to the approach to reduce the impact on the environment, also seems to be another attempt from the motorsport body to make the race weekend more exciting outside the races. This idea is also not received with too much enthusiasm by the drivers and will first be tested before it will be used. The FIA is trying to imitate the process of introducing sprint races. The question is whether this new format can count on the support of the teams and drivers after it has been tested for the first time.
