Fernando Alonso wants F1 fans to have more input ahead of a game-changing 2022 season. The new campaign will signal an overhaul of rules and regulations to make racing more competitive and appears to offer renewed hope to teams following last year’s dominance of Red Bull and Mercedes.
In addition to restrictions on aerodynamic tests, tire widths and the development of motor drive units, there are also proposals from the FIA to extend the number of sprint qualifying sessions.
In 2021, three test sessions were held at Silverstone, Monza and Interlagos, with qualifying on Friday setting the starting positions for the “races” 24 hours later.
They were contested over distances a third that of the Grand Prix itself, with three points awarded to the winner, two to runners-up and one to third – with the final places also determining the starting grid for Sunday’s entire race.
In 2022, the number of sprints is set to double to six, although the format is met with indifference among F1 fans.
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Ironically, it was 40-year-old Alonso who provided one of the highlights of the new format last season, passing five cars on the first lap at Silverstone in July.
And now the Alpine driver has said fans should have a big say in the matter, encouraging the FIA to seek feedback on sprint races to see if they offer more excitement and entertainment.
“I think this format is made for the fans to enhance the spectacle and attract other and new fans to the sport,” Alonso was quoted as saying by Motorsport.com in Spain.
“So I think we should ask them and see what they think. What did you think of the weekend, what went well and what didn’t go well? And if we have to change something, they have to decide.
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“Because I think it wasn’t better for the teams, it wasn’t worse. It was just different. We prepared the weekend differently, but in the end it’s the same for everyone.
“So I think we have to give priority to the fans. And they have to tell us what they didn’t like and try to improve it.”
The Spaniard’s most recent campaign was his first in F1 since 2018 after taking a two-year hiatus after leaving McLaren.
And after a mediocre start, he clinched his first podium since 2014 when he finished third at the Qatar Grand Prix and finished tenth overall – one place ahead of his teammate Esteban Ocon.
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https://formulaone.news/mercedes/my-job-in-f1-abbie-race-team-apprentice
