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A reverse championship grid to become the new qualifying for Formula 1?

15:57, 21 Jul 2019

byMatt

Will Buxton, a Formula 1 journalist, brainstormed his idea on how to improve the sport. After watching a reverse championship order sprint race during the W Series, Buxton believes they should introduce something similar to Formula 1.

On Twitter, he gave an example of how the reverse championship grid would work for the upcoming German Grand Prix. The result of that sprint race would then determine the starting order for the main Formula 1 race on Sunday.

With the Mercedes duo starting at the back on Saturday, they'd probably only just get into the top 10, while some slower cars will still be ahead. This should force designers to create cars which can overtake more, and it will also produce different strategies for the race. The fans will also get to see more on-track action.

Will Buxton

@wbuxtonofficial

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Anyone catch this morning’s @WSeriesRacing reverse championship order grid race? Mega wasn’t it. Like properly mega. Now imagine that in F1. Every weekend. As a replacement for qualifying. Finishing order determines the grid. I can dream, can’t I?

12:55 PM · Jul 21, 2019

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Will Buxton

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Replying to @wbuxtonofficial

Here's your grid for a Saturday afternoon 20 lap qualifying race at Hockenheim. No stops, straight sprint. Reckon you'd get an all Mercedes front row for Sunday? I don't.

1:16 PM · Jul 21, 2019

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Will Buxton

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Replying to @wbuxtonofficial

Again, this wouldn't be the grid for the Grand Prix. But for a qualifying race to set Sunday's grid. Highly likely the top teams would thus start inside or close to the top 10. Highly unlikely they'll start from pole. Sunday strategy then becomes even more interesting.

1:22 PM · Jul 21, 2019

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Will Buxton

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Replying to @wbuxtonofficial

If we agree that the most interesting races often come as a result of a jumbled up grid, how do we create a jumbled up grid without manufacturing it? For me, a qualifying race based on a reverse championship order grid gives us everything, PLUS more on track action.

1:24 PM · Jul 21, 2019

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Will Buxton

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Replying to @wbuxtonofficial

It's simple. It provides a televisual extravaganza for Saturday AND Sunday. It doesn't punish those who perform (as they'll more than likely rise to the top come the flag on Sunday anyway) and... wait for it... teams will have to design cars that can overtake.

1:29 PM · Jul 21, 2019

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