Brawn counters Hamilton: 'Would still race each other in shopping carts'
F1 News
The sprint race makes its debut this weekend. At Silverstone, a new qualifying system will be tested for the first time, which should make the weekend, especially on Friday and Saturday, more spectacular.
Lewis Hamilton doesn't expect much from it as he doesn't think there will be much overtaking due to the layout of the circuit. F1-boss Ross Brawn thinks otherwise, he says to Motorsport.com.
"I think Baku and the little sprint at the end was fascinating, that was exciting. I don't think ours will be as aggressive, because obviously it's over 100 kilometres, so they have a bit more time." Still, Brawn sees no reason why next weekend's organised version can't provide a spectacle.
Drivers race each other anywhere, anytime
At least, that's Brawn's reasoning, who believes that's precisely why the overtaking will be present this weekend. He then came up with a striking example.
"I think racing drivers will still race each other in a supermarket car park with shopping trolleys. It's in their nature that they want to beat each other: and there's nothing worse for them to be beaten by someone. Even if you could argue that the sprint is just the precursor to the main event, the race, I think they will be desperate to beat each other and show who is the fastest and who is the strongest."
So next weekend will be the first weekend of the three in which the new format will be tested. This will be, for everyone, the first moment to really conclude whether this format will be a success or a thing of the past this year.