Why F1 teams should back the reversed grid revolution
Formula 1 has been searching for the answer to its overtaking problem for decades. But its teams can never agree to something that may hurt their chances. Here's why a compromised but radical event format idea could solve that issue
There was a flurry of excitement last week when some slightly edited and relatively old quotes from Mattia Binotto began circulating on social media, as they suggested that Formula 1 teams had agreed to ditch qualifying and switch to reversed grid heats to decide the grand prix starting order from 2020.
But while the reports suggesting this was a done deal were wide of the mark, the reality is that it looks like something of this nature is coming.
Share Or Save This Story
Jonathan Noble is Motorsport.com’s Formula 1 editor. Having graduated from University of Sussex Jonathan worked for sports news agency Collings Sports reporting on F1, F3, touring cars and other sports, with articles appearing in The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Reuters, Autosport and other publications. In 1999 he moved to Haymarket Publishing to become a senior editor at Autosport Special Projects, and one year later he became Autosport’s grand prix editor. In 2015 he moved to Motorsport Network, becoming the F1 editor for Motorsport.com. He is also a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and sits on the FIA Media Council.
More from Jonathan Noble
Norris had no reason to apologise for China F1 sprint showing, says McLaren
Hamilton: Norris would have been better off conceding in Turn 1
Shanghai F1 grass fire mystery remains; emergency team on standby
F1 teams and Pirelli had no warning of “painted” Shanghai track surface
FIA still chasing answers over bizarre Shanghai F1 grass fires
Audi a player, not a spectator, in F1 driver market - Sauber
Mercedes joins Williams and RB with 'quick and cheap' F1 cockpit airflow upgrades
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
Latest news
Norris had no reason to apologise for China F1 sprint showing, says McLaren
Supercars New Zealand: Heimgartner splashes to Taupo opener victory
Hamilton: Norris would have been better off conceding in Turn 1
Leclerc: Sainz “over the limit” with defence in F1 Chinese GP sprint race
Autosport Plus
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.