F1 CEO open to radical grand prix weekend change

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has admitted he is open to the possibility of trialling reverse grid races.

The sport introduced a major weekend schedule change at certain rounds four years ago with sprint races, which remain on the calendar today at six weekends per season.

Domenicali has revealed F1 is looking at adding the sprint format at even more race weekends going forward, while also highlighting reverse grid races is coming under greater consideration.

"I do believe there are possibilities to extend two things, which we need to discuss, both with the drivers and the teams, and, of course, with the FIA," Domenicali told The Race.

"There are: can we apply that [sprint schedules] with more races? And is this the right formula to have the possibility to have a reversed grid, as we are doing with F2 and F3? These are points of discussion.

"I think that we are getting there to be mature to make sure that this point will be tackled seriously with the teams.

"The vibes to progress in this direction are definitely growing, and therefore I'm ready to present and to discuss not only more sprints…but if there are new formats, new ideas."

In the past, the idea of reverse grid races would likely have been dismissed by fans and teams alike in favour of retaining the traditional formats in play.

But Domenicali suggested shying away from trialling new ideas would be the wrong approach for the sport to take.

"We are open for that,” he said in response to suggestions such as introducing reverse grid races.

“I think that's the right thing - to listen to our fans, to try to create something, and not to be worried to do mistakes.

"The one who believes to do no mistakes doesn't do anything new.

"I think that the sprint, whatever will be the right format, we need to have it. It will represent the future.