Forward of the System 1 Italian Grand Prix, a number of staff 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 12 months.
Now, a couple of extra staff 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 staff 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 a few of 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 gas? 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 incredible alternative and I believe that it comes on the finish of a busy season, however opposed to only working round burning gas and tires and solely the groups which might be working these drivers figuring out whether or not they’re doing job or to not give probably ten drivers or ten rookies the chance of leaping within the present vehicles and having the equal of a Dash race, I believe is incredible,” continued Horner. “And I believe it’ll be a extremely standard occasion.”
Haas Crew 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 help to the concept.
“Yeah, I believe it’s nice,” stated Komatsu. “You already know, 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 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 fascinating transfer.”
Sauber Crew Consultant Alessandro Alunni Bravi joined within the refrain. “I absolutely agree with Ayao. It’s vital to present the rookies extra alternatives, to indicate them. We all know how a lot it’s tough to get into System 1, so I believe that FP1 classes are usually not enough 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 staff,” stated 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 may be 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’s 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 may assist open the door for some new faces within the years to come back.
