Team bosses welcome the idea of a sprint race for rookie drivers

Formula One team bosses would welcome the idea of a post-season sprint race for rookie drivers, with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff claiming that it would represent a real opportunity to assess young racers in comparable conditions.

It has recently emerged that Formula One is considering introducing a post-season sprint race for rookie drivers. The idea is for a short format featuring rookie drivers that would take place after the single-day test that is due to take place in Abu Dhabi on the Tuesday.

While it looks unlikely that the short race would be added to this year’s programme, it is possible that next year could see the first-ever sprint for rookie drivers.

Currently, Formula 1 teams are mandated to run a rookie in two FP1 sessions during the season. Although it has proved successful as several drivers could show their talent in a high-pressure environment, rookie drivers usually only have one or two hot laps on fresh tyres, making it tough for them to show their speed. In addition, teams are also concerned about possible crashes that could hinder their performance and programme over a race weekend.

When asked to give his verdict regarding a possible short race for rookie drivers, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff sounded a positive note, insisting that it would represent an opportunity to assess their abilities on the same fuel level in comparable conditions.

“We discussed it in the F1 Commission and I think we’re keen in giving rookie drivers more opportunity. The stretch is that if you give it to them on a Grand Prix race weekend, it’s going to impact the main drivers, or it could impact the main drivers’ performances.

“If you let them race on a main weekend, it could influence the race result, which could be pretty damaging if you’re fighting for a championship.

“So we really didn’t find another way of letting them go through this whole sequence of a race weekend, pushing the car, being able to make comparisons. Because with a day of racing in Abu Dhabi, they’re all going to be on the same fuel.

“They’re all going to be on the same tyre. And it will be interesting to see how they compare in those respective cars. And the season is finished. It’s going to be a strain for the team, obviously, because we have another day. But we are in the entertainment industry and that’s the best idea so far that we have come up to give them more driving time,” added Wolff.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has revealed that the sport had considered obliging teams to host more FP1 rookie outings. However, with many young drivers competing in the FIA Formula 2 championships and a relatively high portion of the tracks of the F1 schedule being street circuits where race drivers also need mileage, it is tough to find appropriate venues for the rookie outings.

“With the current regulation and the three days of testing that you have during the winter, it’s not easy to give them mileage. On the top, we were thinking to give them the opportunity to do more FP1, but they are doing already 14 races in F2.

“On the top of this, we have the Sprint races where you can’t give the FP1. Plus some tracks, it’s not easy. We will never give up the FP1 in Singapore or Monaco or Baku. It means that At the end of the day, we don’t have so many opportunities to give them the opportunity to test the car in the real condition and outside of the TPC system.

“And I think this opportunity could be a good one to also to give them the full weekend with a free practice quality and start. And so for sure, it’s not easy to organise and so, but I’m supportive,” noted Vasseur.

Visa Cash RB’s CEO Peter Bayer echoed Wolff’s words, insisting that the opening practice could sometimes be difficult to manage with many variables.

“I think if you see today how well the single-seater pyramid is working from karting, Formula 4, 3, 2, how much talent is coming up. And obviously at the top there’s only 20 seats, so it’s quite complex for these guys to show their skills and at the same time FP1.

” I mean, as Toto just said, we had Kimi in his first FP1, there is huge expectation, everybody’s watching it. You actually don’t know on what tyre he will go out. Sometimes there’s an accident, like last week, and then they get five minute time to run.

“So I think it would be great also because you know we would reach out to the younger fan base which is something that you know we’re keen to do and overall we would be certainly supportive,” said Bayer.