A big player in the first qualifying sprint race in Formula 1 on Saturday at Silverstone, Fernando Alonso “
really liked
” this new format, but other drivers like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton remain to be convinced.
“
I liked the format. It's good to have some action all three days for the fans,
”said Alonso after the 100km, 17-lap race which qualified for the British Grand Prix. It must be said that the Spaniard was the main
driver,
gaining six places in the first corners: "
One of my best first laps
", smiled the Alpine rider, 7th in the end.
With classic qualifying on Friday, which determines the starting grid for a sprint race on Saturday, which itself determines the grid for the Grand Prix on Sunday, F1 seeks to reinvent itself and reach a wider audience. The winner, Verstappen (Red Bull), will start from pole position in the GP but is not completely convinced: “
When I crossed the line after this race and was told: 'Good job, you have the pole position ', it was a bit strange
”.
"
What was nice is that at the start we started with less fuel, so the cars are faster and a little more lively
" to complete 17 laps, against the 52 they will have to cover for the "
real one.
"
Race, however appreciated the leader of the championship who took three new points thanks to this sprint.
His great rival Hamilton (Mercedes), best time in qualifying but doubled from the start by the Dutchman, also remains divided.
Even if, "
for the fans it's nice to have more races
", the format must be rethought according to the seven-time world champion.
"
Friday was nice, the way it was organized, with only one practice session before qualifying
". But ideally, "
it would take a weekend just Saturday and Sunday, removing one day: 23 days (over the season) less driving, that would be better in ecological terms
", he continued, then a record schedule of 23 GPs is expected this season.
“
It was pretty much the same as the last few races: you had to follow Max,
” said Hamilton, second in the championship and who remains on five consecutive failures against Red Bull.
“
It's very difficult to keep up with these cars so it wasn't the most exciting, but I hope the fans enjoyed it.
I can't say it was my case,
”he said.
Next test in Italy
The architect of the sprint, F1 sporting director Ross Brawn, applauded this first full-scale test: “
I think one of the things we have all seen is that a racing driver stays behind. a racing driver. They are never going to hide. So that gives a lot of action on the track
”. “
The first round was completely captivating,
” he said, highlighting
Alonso's
“
sensational
”
performance
.
Lando Norris (McLaren), the 21-year-old Briton, found the concept "
a little weird
", but believes that the important thing is to see if it pleases the spectators: "
It's for the fans, it's not for us.
To give them more to watch.
So if they liked it, I'm happy
”.
And Alonso continues: “
There were a lot of actions, more than I imagined.
There is more to lose than to gain.
We saw it with Checo (Sergio Pérez, who started 5th and who will be last Sunday after a spin, Editor's note).
You can start last in the Grand Prix when, if all goes well, you can win two or three places.
So yes, I find that there have been quite a few actions
”.
Back in F1 soon to be 40, the double Spanish world champion (2005, 2006) even offers some improvements: "
Maybe we can spice up Friday with just one set of tires and one attempt
" to make a time in qualifying.
The format is to be tested again in Italy in September and at another GP to be determined.
Before, possibly, to extend the concept in 2022.