The drivers have finally spoken.
Just recently, news regarding the new Formula One qualifying changes has shaken up the media and has sparked mixed opinions from the viewers and drivers.
Commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the Federation Internationale de I’Autombile (FIA) have come up with a way to spice up the sport as last year’s atmosphere was completely bland and not at all to Bernie’s liking. Viewers too admitted that the sport has gotten quite boring therefore a change was proposed but not finalised.
The change is scheduled to take place at the Spanish Grand Prix in May if no objections are made to the plan.
However, despite the ability of the new format to add a little flare to the competition and increase marketability, the Formula One drivers have urged the FIA to not alter the current format as the changes might be a little too complicated for the viewers.
FIA race director Charlie Whiting met the drivers in the paddock at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona yesterday to open up a discussion regarding the latest implementation but to his notice, most of the drivers are seemingly unhappy with it.
The meeting included Force India’s Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, Haas’ Esteban Gutierrez and Romain Grosjean, Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg, Renault duo Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer, Torro Rosso’s Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr, Williams’ Felipa Massa and McLaren’s Jenson Button.
“We shared our thoughts with Charlie,” Sergio Perez told Sky Sports News. “We’re not very happy with the rules they want to implement. Let’s see if they can change it.”
“For the fans it can be very complicated to understand. It’s complicated for us already, so for the fans it will just make things more and more complicated.”
“We feel the qualifying at the moment is really good. I don’t think there is a reason to change that.”
The lack of communication between the drivers and the upper hands is quite an exasperating issue within the industry and Perez admits that he is grateful for Whiting’s intentions to consult the drivers.
“Charlie has been really good to get us involved in these changes. He wants to definitely hear more of our impression, so that’s definitely good.”
Magnussen too agreed with Perez as ‘going into a season not knowing how the qualifying format worked’ would not be an ideal scenario.
The ultimate decision will be revealed by the World Motor Sport Council in Geneva tomorrow.
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