F1 boss, Stefano Domenicali has reiterated his need to see much less observe classes over Grand Prix race weekends.
Attending the opening spherical of the 2023 MotoGP season, the Italian instructed SportTV: “I’m a supporter of the cancellation of free observe classes, that are of nice use to the engineers however that the general public does not like.”
After all, this is not the primary time he has mentioned this, having commented final yr that he would both prefer to see free observe classes scrapped totally or given which means by awarding factors.
Naturally, most followers greeted his feedback with horror.
Sadly, Domenicali, like Ross Brawn, has not solely taken the Liberty Media shilling, he has willingly swallowed it.
Had such a suggestion been made when both had been working with F1 groups they might have fought such a transfer tooth and nail, certainly whilst younger children attending their first races they might have been aghast at such a proposal.
However now each dumb concept that F1’s ‘creatives’ provide you with is greeted by the likes of Domenicali, Brawn and Pat Symonds – seasoned F1 males – with the type of “nice”, “tremendous” enthusiasm beforehand reserved for CJ within the iconic Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin.
First off, with little testing of any price, this yr’s programme was decreased to 3 days, groups want all of the on-track operating they will get.
Sure, free observe does enable groups to check updates, whereas additionally getting ready for the weekend forward, however with Pink Bull and Max Verstappen threatening to run away with the titles certainly it’s in everybody’s curiosity for rivals to not less than try to catch-up, the restrictions of the funds cap apart.
Then there’s the query of up and coming drivers who want the Friday session to realize and expertise and hopefully entice the eye of potential employers.
And naturally, let’s not neglect the followers who wish to see as a lot operating as doable, and are paying by the nostril for the privilege.
As an apart, and little question a portent of what is heading down the road, the much-hyped Las Vegas Grand Prix won’t characteristic any assist races of any type.
Moreover, followers who sought to pay money for $500 GA (common tickets) once they went on sale just lately had been to be upset, many claiming that none had been truly obtainable, and had been as a substitute directed to the subsequent tier, at $2,000 a pop.
Talking final yr, Domenicali raised the prospect of giving the free observe session extra which means by awarding factors, whereas there may be even discuss of revising the whole weekend format in order that Friday is given over to observe and qualifying for Sunday’s race, whereas Saturday incorporates a stand-alone championship comprising qualifying within the morning and a Dash within the afternoon.
You have seen how Liberty envisages the long run, Scorching Wheels or Scalextric tracks in the course of darkened cities, cities that in all honesty may very well be anyplace on planet.
F1 made a shrewd transfer by getting a world championship getting in 2020 – then once more it needed to or else the game might have gone bust.
In the meantime, lockdown ensured that there was a captive viewers for Drive to Survive which up till then had loved restricted success on Netflix.
Have not less than one driver gurning at each alternative, one other pouting, a crew principal with Tourettes one other couple who clearly hate each other, and, as Christian Horner so aptly described it, you’ve the “Kardashians on Wheels”.
Aided and abetted by the likes of Brawn and Domenicali, Liberty is taking F1 down a highway from which there will probably be no return.
Proceed to tinker with the game at your peril.
