Forward of the System 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 an extended yr.
Now, a couple of extra group bosses are happening the document 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 System 1 Commissions as a result of I believe it’s nice for the younger drivers,” started Horner. “And I believe that the issue with among the rookie exams is all of them get used for testing. You by no means know, are they working 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 it is 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 simply working round burning gasoline and tires and solely the groups which are working these drivers understanding whether or not they’re doing job or to not give doubtlessly ten drivers or ten rookies the chance of leaping within the present vehicles and having the equal of a Dash race, I believe is unbelievable,” continued Horner. “And I believe it’ll be a very fashionable occasion.”
Haas Crew Principal Ayao Komatsu — who’s overseeing younger Oliver Bearman’s drive rather than Kevin Magnussen this weekend as he serves a one-race penalty ban — additionally gave his help to the concept.
“Yeah, I believe it’s nice,” mentioned Komatsu. “You understand, the post-season take a look at, if we don’t do issues like that, you might be simply doing the tire take a look at. So I believe it provides worth to the day and makes it extra thrilling and one other alternative to place younger drivers within the automobile. Nowadays, it’s such a uncommon alternative for younger drivers to get within the present System 1 automobile. So I believe it’s actually an attention-grabbing transfer.”
Sauber Crew Consultant Alessandro Alunni Bravi joined within the refrain. “I absolutely agree with Ayao. It’s essential to offer the rookies extra alternatives, to indicate them. We all know how a lot it’s troublesome to get into System 1, so I believe that FP1 classes usually are not adequate to showcase what you are able to do. and there are numerous 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 Crew, as they haven’t but introduced who will likely 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.