F1 chief announces two major changes being discussed despite Lewis Hamilton criticism

WATCH NOW: Aidan Magee discusses the latest sport headlines August 20 2025

|

GBN

Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 20/08/2025

- 17:41

Updated: 20/08/2025

- 21:51

The new rules could cause a major shift in the sport

F1 chief Stefano Domenicali is considering the idea of introducing reverse grids in the future to mix up the F1 grid.

Currently, both Formula 2 and Formula 3 operate with a reverse grid format for each weekend of racing.


The style of racing sees the top 10 drivers on the grid being reversed for the following race, allowing for more action throughout the field.

**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**

Domenicali revealed: “I do believe there are possibilities to extend two things, which we need to discuss, both with the drivers and the teams, and, of course, with the FIA,

Stefano Domenicali

Stefano Domenicali is considering reverse grid races for F1

|

Getty

"They are - can we apply that [sprints] with more races?

"And is this the right formula to have the possibility to have a reversed grid, as we are doing with F2 and F3? These are points of discussion.

"I think that we are getting there to be mature to make sure that this point will be tackled seriously with the teams,"

JUST IN: Mohamed Salah starts title race mind games after Liverpool star breaks another record

Both Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have been very critical of the reverse grid format in the past, while reigning champion Max Verstappen dislikes the current sprint race format used within the sport.

Domenicali continued: “The vibes to progress in this direction are definitely growing, and therefore I'm ready to present and to discuss not only more sprints, but if there are new formats, new ideas.

**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**

Lewis Hamilton

The 40-year-old is not a fan of reverse grid races

|
REUTERS

"We are open for that [reverse grids]. because I think that's the right thing, to listen to our fans, to try to create something, and not to be worried to do mistakes.

“The one who believes to do no mistakes doesn't do anything new."

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Back in 2019, Hamilton made his feeling on reverse grid races clear when he told the media: “The people who propose that don’t really know what they’re talking about.”

Verstappen has also been very vocal about his dislike for the experimental races the F1 chiefs are implementing in the sport, but Domenicalli has insisted that Sprints will be here to stay.

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen has been very vocal about his dislike for Sprint races

|
PA

He added: "I think that the sprint, whatever will be the right format, we need to have it.

“It will represent the future.

“I think that, between six and 24, we have to do steps into the middle."