Max Verstappen, despite his exceptional success in sprints in recent seasons, has expressed his displeasure at the addition of an extra event during the weekend. With the alterations to this year’s timetable, the shootout now takes place on Friday, followed by the sprint and main qualifying on Saturday. The most significant tweak to the rules is the introduction of two parc ferme periods, allowing teams a window between the sprint and qualifying to make adjustments to their car. Verstappen remains skeptical about whether these changes will enhance the actual racing, stating that while the new format changes how teams approach the weekend, it does not necessarily increase his excitement for the races.
Sainz’s Appreciation for the Flexibility of the Rules
On the other hand, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has welcomed the flexibility that the revised parc ferme regulations offer. He acknowledges the positive impact that this change has had, particularly highlighting his struggles in previous seasons where cars were locked into parc ferme straight after FP1 sessions. Sainz believes that drivers and teams should have the freedom to make adjustments to their cars if they are not performing as expected. While he appreciates the changes made so far, he expresses a desire to see further modifications to improve the sprint format.
RB technical director Jody Egginton recognizes the advantages of being able to adjust the cars over the weekend but stresses that it also adds extra pressure on the teams. With the need for more input from factory simulations to optimize the cars and additional workload for engineers and mechanics at the track, Egginton acknowledges the pros and cons of the rule changes. He appreciates the flexibility but also emphasizes the importance of balancing working hours and operational efficiency. Despite reminiscing about past days where teams had more freedom, he acknowledges that the world of Formula 1 has evolved, requiring a fair compromise between flexibility and constraints.
The modifications made to the parc ferme rules in Formula 1 have sparked mixed reactions among drivers and technical directors. While some appreciate the newfound flexibility and ability to fine-tune their cars over the weekend, others remain skeptical about the impact on the actual racing. The changes introduced this year aim to strike a balance between allowing teams to optimize their performance and ensuring a level playing field for all competitors. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these rule changes influence the dynamics of the races and whether further adjustments are warranted to enhance the overall spectacle of Formula 1.
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