George Russell fights F1 rule change with Lewis Hamilton’s view already clear

F1 Sprint changes are expected ahead of the 2024 season but one of the proposed tweaks would clearly not go down well wither either Lewis Hamilton or George Russell

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have both made it very clear they are against the idea of bringing reverse grids into Formula 1.

The direct feeder series for the sport uses this format. While the full qualifying results are used to set the grid for the main race as usual, F2 and F3 use a reverse grid where the top 10 qualifiers are switched around for the Sprint race.

Similar ideas have been put forth for Formula One, and executives are currently debating the Sprint’s future. The leaders of the sport continue to fully support the format, although it has been acknowledged that changes are needed to make the short-form races more thrilling.

While it is by no means the only option being considered, introducing reverse grids is one possible direction. However, some of the most influential voices on the grid would not support the move.

Russell, a Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director, is among those who find the idea objectionable. The Mercedes driver stated, “I won’t speak for the drivers, but from my own personal perspective, I don’t think reverse grid races will work—purely because I learned this when I raced in Formula 3 and Formula 2.”

“The car you’re fighting with is the hardest to pass if you have the top ten fastest cars. If you flip that grid, the fastest car in position 10 will attempt to pass the second-fastest car in position 9, which is attempting to pass the third-fastest car in position 8. In other words, every car is genuinely attempting to pass the closest rival.

“In reality, what you would likely discover is that it would essentially be a DRS train, as there could be a Williams leading from a Haas that is struggling to pass, who is leading from an Alpine, who is then leading from a McLaren or another vehicle. Therefore, I believe the idea will fail.”

The concept of implementing reverse grids has undoubtedly been discussed before. The subject has been raised on multiple occasions in the past, and in 2019, during a press conference held ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton was among three drivers who expressed their clear opposition to its happening.

The first and most tactful to reply was Charles Leclerc. “I wouldn’t be content,” he grinned. “It’s not the answer for Formula 1 in my opinion. In my opinion, the best ought to prevail, begin in the best position, and maintain that sequence.

“I don’t really know what to say… the people who have proposed it don’t really know what they’re talking about,” Hamilton said with a simple shrug. And when Sebastian Vettel responded with his own, rather direct criticism, his Mercedes rival laughed.

“To be honest, I think it’s complete bulls**t,” he said, maintaining a straight expression. “I think it’s obvious that we need to tighten up the field and have better racing if we want to make improvements. I’m not sure who the genius was who came up with this, but it’s just a plaster; it’s not the answer. It’s the totally incorrect strategy.”