Lewis Hamilton expects F1 starts to become "more unpredictable"
Lewis Hamilton feels Formula 1's new start procedure will make getting away off the line even more "unpredictable", following Mercedes' recent poor getaways in grands prix
For the Belgian Grand Prix following F1's summer break, starts revert back into a driver's hands, with the pitwall no longer involved when it comes to the necessary clutch settings.
That could put more pressure on Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg who have been beaten off the line at the last two grands prix at Silverstone and Hungaroring despite front-row lock-outs.
For the British Grand Prix Williams duo Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas swept by, while in Hungary it was Ferrari pair Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.
That resulted in Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff describing what has unfolded as "unacceptable".
Reigning champion Hamilton concedes the new start format "is going to be a challenge".
Speaking to the British press, he added: "What goes on from after this race [Hungary] is going to be very interesting.
"I expect more unpredictable starts. I imagine it is going to get worse, but that's racing."
Hamilton has even suggested the FIA may need to make rule tweak adjustments to compensate.
"I think they might underestimate how much they influence the races," he added.
"The starts might not change or they might be disastrous. It could make for more weaving, who knows?
"My guess is that it is not going to be the right thing and it is going to be adjusted.
"They might need to make changes to it. It is a good idea, though."
Rosberg, 21 points adrift of Hamilton, has welcomed the initiative introduced by the FIA.
"It's good because it puts the start fully into our hands - 100 per cent driver," he said. There is no engineer involved or anything.
"If it's a good start, it's the driver. If it's a bad start, it's the driver, which is good because it puts a bit more variability into it.
"The start is such an important phase. As we have seen recently it can mix things up."
STARTS A CONCERN FOR MERCEDES
Despite the change in start procedure, Wolff has vowed to understand why his drivers have struggled to make a clean getaway at the last two races.
"I'm very concerned," said Wolff.
"We were jumped by the two Williams at Silverstone, jumped by the two Ferraris in Hungary, which triggered the mess and the lap-one incident [Hamilton going off track].
"We need to get on top of the situation, analyse it because it is unacceptable.
"I think there are many reasons [why it happened], not just one in particular, but if you look at it, it is not good.
"From what I heard on the radio we had two very good practice starts off the line, but then when it mattered we had too much wheelspin and were overtaken in a way you can't recover."
Previous article
Hungarian GP driver ratings
Next article
Ferrari F1 team's focus on its car, not Kimi Raikkonen's future
The ‘backwards step’ that is the right move for Formula 1
OPINION: With its days apparently numbered, the MGU-H looks set to be dropped from Formula 1’s future engine rules in order to entice new manufacturers in. While it may appear a change of direction, the benefits for teams and fans could make the decision a worthwhile call
The floundering fortunes of F1’s many Lotus reboots
Team Lotus ceased to exist in 1994 - and yet various parties have been trying to resurrect the hallowed name, in increasingly unrecognisable forms, ever since. DAMIEN SMITH brings GP Racing’s history of the legendary team to an end with a look at those who sought to keep the flame alive in Formula 1
Why the 2021 title fight is far from F1's worst, despite its toxic background
OPINION: Formula 1 reconvenes for the Russian Grand Prix two weeks after the latest blow in ‘Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton’. While the Silverstone and Monza incidents were controversial, they thankfully lacked one element that so far separates the 2021 title fight from the worst examples of ugly championship battles
How F1’s other champion to emerge from 1991 thrived at Lotus
Mika Hakkinen became Michael Schumacher’s biggest rival in Formula 1 in the late-90s and early 2000s, having also made his F1 debut in 1991. But as MARK GALLAGHER recalls, while Schumacher wowed the world with a car that was eminently capable, Hakkinen was fighting to make his mark with a famous team in terminal decline
The forgotten F1 comeback that began Jordan’s odyssey
Before Michael Schumacher – or anyone else – had driven the 191 (or 911 as it was initially called), Eddie Jordan turned to a fellow Irishman to test his new Formula 1 car. JOHN WATSON, a grand prix winner for Penske and McLaren, recalls his role in the birth of a legend…
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
