Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali has hinted at a dramatic overhaul that could see top drivers such as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris start from the back of the grid. The proposed change, aimed at increasing on-track excitement, has sparked considerable debate within the racing community.
The reverse grid format, a concept familiar to motorsport fans, is already used in Formula Two and Formula Three. The idea is to add more action and variety to race weekends. However, it remains a controversial topic among fans and drivers alike.
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In 2025, the F1 calendar will feature six sprint races. While some have provided thrilling battles, others have been criticised for their lack of strategic depth and tyre management, elements that are crucial to the appeal of Grand Prix racing. Domenicali remains committed to sprint races, but is open to making them more exciting, even if it means introducing reverse grid races.
Domenicali’s perspective
“We can really discuss again whether it is necessary to reverse the grid or half the grid, like in F2 and F3,” Domenicali told Motorsport.com. He stressed the importance of keeping the race format dynamic and exciting: “Personally, I would say why not? There’s a lot of action…
“There is overtaking. You’re fighting for points? Some people might say, ‘Oh, it’s a fake way of racing. Fake? There is nothing fake about what you think is the right format to produce great action.”
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Driver reactions: Verstappen’s dissent
Unsurprisingly, the proposal has not been universally welcomed. Max Verstappen, known for his outspoken views, expressed his disinterest in any format changes.
“Just a normal race weekend, please. Thank you. I’m not interested in any changes [to the format]. I just don’t like it,” he said when asked about reverse grid sprints.
The reverse grid format promises a more visually spectacular race for the fans, but it also poses significant challenges. Reversing the entire grid would make it almost impossible for the pole sitter to score meaningful points due to the difficulty of overtaking on many circuits.
Adopting a system similar to Formula 2, where only the top 10 are reversed and the rest of the grid is determined by qualifying results, could alleviate this problem. However, it could also reduce the incentive for drivers in the bottom half of the grid to push hard, for fear of damaging their cars while fighting for minor positions.
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Domenicali confirms “good plan”: Rwanda to host F1 races?
In a follow-up act of apparent mind loss, Formula One will hold talks with officials in Rwanda in the summer of 2024 as the East African nation looks to bring the premier class to its shores.
The move is in line with F1’s aim to expand its global footprint, and in particular to reintroduce the sport to Africa, a continent that last hosted a race in 1993.
Rwanda appears to be making significant progress in its planning, warranting serious discussions about a possible Grand Prix. In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, Stefano Domenicali confirmed the forthcoming talks: “They are serious,” said the F1 boss.
“They have presented a good plan and we will meet them at the end of September. It would be a race on a permanent circuit.”
Rwanda’s interest in promoting motorsport is evident, with development officials travelling to Monaco to meet with the FIA leadership. An FIA awards ceremony will also be held in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, in December. Reflecting on F1’s successful expansion into the USA with three races, Domenicali is now focused on conquering new regions.
“But it needs the right investment and the right strategy,” he noted.
“It has to be the right time and we have to make sure we are well received in this African country, especially when they have other priorities. We have to be careful and make the right decisions.”
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Global interest in F1
Domenicali highlighted the growing global interest in hosting Formula One races.
“Until 2020, there weren’t that many places that wanted F1,” he explained.
“Now we are on the other side. Many countries in the world want Formula One and this gives us the opportunity to develop an event together with everyone.”
With the F1 calendar stabilising at 24 races, Domenicali hinted at medium-term discussions about possible events. “I don’t see any major changes in the short term, but we will be discussing 2026, 2027 and 2028 in the next few months. We have different options, but we are in a good position.
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Another potential addition to the F1 calendar is Thailand. Domenicali mentioned plans to visit the country after the Singapore race to assess a possible project. Although a street race in Bangkok was previously planned, the circuit even started being built just prior to the COVID 19 pandemic, current discussions may lead to a different approach than this false start.
As discussions about reverse grid races and new venues such as Rwanda and Thailand continue, Formula One is poised for transformational change under Domenicali’s leadership, nothing appears off the table.
Balancing the sport’s rich traditions with the need to engage a modern audience, F1 is exploring innovative ways to broaden its global appeal and ensure that its races remain an exciting spectacle for fans around the world. The conversation about the future of F1 is far from over, with significant developments on the horizon.
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The reverse grid idea is just a step along the road managers all want – the one that leads to managers being the most important people in any activity. It would save a lot of money, time and effort if the cars drove round and “diced” with each other to a manager’s script, to wide managerial acclaim. This would enable fairness, too, since the winners could take turns.