Forward of the Formulation 1 Italian Grand Prix, a number of group principals spoke out in favor of a proposed rookie dash race on the finish of the season, giving younger drivers an opportunity to showcase their expertise on the finish of a protracted yr.
Now, just a few extra group bosses are happening the file in favor of such an occasion.
At Friday’s FIA Press Convention forward of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix three extra group principals got here out in favor of the concept, together with Crimson Bull boss Christian Horner. Requested in regards to the proposed occasion by longtime F1 journalist Adam Cooper, Horner and others gave their backing to the proposal.
“Yeah, it’s one thing that I tabled on the final couple of Formulation 1 Commissions as a result of I believe it’s nice for the younger drivers,” started Horner. “And I believe that the issue with a number of the rookie exams is all of them get used for testing. You by no means know, are they operating on 50 kilos, 70 kilos, 30 kilos of gasoline? What engine mode are they going? You don’t actually know. You don’t know the way the opposition are doing.
“So I believe this can be a non-championship race for the junior drivers. I believe it’s a unbelievable alternative and I believe that it comes on the finish of a busy season, however opposed to only operating round burning gasoline and tires and solely the groups which are operating these drivers realizing whether or not they’re doing a very good job or to not give doubtlessly ten drivers or ten rookies the chance of leaping within the present automobiles and having the equal of a Dash race, I believe is unbelievable,” continued Horner. “And I believe it’ll be a extremely well-liked occasion.”
Haas Workforce Principal Ayao Komatsu — who’s overseeing younger Oliver Bearman’s drive instead of Kevin Magnussen this weekend as he serves a one-race penalty ban — additionally gave his assist to the concept.
“Yeah, I believe it’s nice,” mentioned Komatsu. “You recognize, the post-season check, if we don’t do issues like that, you might be simply doing the tire check. So I believe it provides worth to the day and makes it extra thrilling and one other alternative to place younger drivers within the automotive. Lately, it’s such a uncommon alternative for younger drivers to get within the present Formulation 1 automotive. So I believe it’s actually an fascinating transfer.”
Sauber Workforce Consultant Alessandro Alunni Bravi joined within the refrain. “I absolutely agree with Ayao. It’s vital to offer the rookies extra alternatives, to indicate them. We all know how a lot it’s troublesome to get into Formulation 1, so I believe that FP1 periods usually are not adequate to showcase what you are able to do. and there are a whole lot of dangers linked to correct efficiency in FP1 additionally for the group,” mentioned Alunni Bravi. “This can be a very nice alternative.”
Subsequent season will see a number of new drivers becoming a member of the grid: Bearman at Haas, Jack Doohan at Alpine, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes. There’s additionally potential for a fourth rookie to affix the grid, as Gabriel Bortoleto has emerged as a powerful contender for the seat at Sauber alongside Nico Hülkenberg.
Then there may be the concept of Liam Lawson sliding right into a seat at Visa Money App RB F1 Workforce, as they haven’t but introduced who will probably be driving alongside Yuki Tsunoda subsequent season.
However this proposed rookie race would possibly assist open the door for some new faces within the years to return.
