Alpine government advisor Flavio Briatore has put ahead a radical proposal to spice up the Method 1 spectacle from Friday onwards by increasing the Dash calendar from the present six occasions to 24.
Method 1 first launched Dash races in 2021 as a trial at three occasions: the British, Italian and São Paulo Grands Prix. Underneath the unique format, Friday qualifying set the grid for Saturday’s Dash, with the results of the 100 km race then figuring out the beginning order for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Solely the highest three finishers scored factors.
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Since then, the Dash format has been revised on a number of events earlier than reaching its present construction. The championship now options six Dash weekends per season, with the Dash changing into a standalone points-paying race and the highest eight finishers receiving championship factors.
Chatting with The Race, Briatore argued that Method 1 ought to introduce Dash races at each Grand Prix weekend. He believes the present Friday schedule gives too little leisure for followers, as apply classes are largely centered on technical work relatively than aggressive operating. Briatore additionally advised {that a} Dash provides spectators an additional race to take pleasure in whereas making certain drivers are competing for significant outcomes as an alternative of merely gathering knowledge for his or her engineers. Because of this, he stated the best format could be to have 24 Dash races throughout the 24-round calendar.
“I consider we have to do the dash races. If it was me, each race, as a result of we have to give one thing extra to the spectator. We do nothing for the spectator, as a result of Friday morning is simply technical. You bought two laps, you come again, and individuals are not right here.
“After Saturday within the morning, after you’ve gotten the qualifying and that is finito, you’ve gotten the race. With the dash race, not less than you’ve gotten two races, two starters, and the motive force is driving for one thing. He is not driving just for the engineering. For me, 24 races, 24 dash races.”
Photograph: Race Footage
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Domenicali claims ‘nobody is ‘ in how F1 vehicles are pushed in defence of 2026 guidelines
Briatore’s proposal comes simply days after F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali defended the 2026 rules, arguing that most of the technical considerations raised by devoted followers don’t replicate the pursuits of the broader viewers. Referring to a latest dialog with Star Wars creator George Lucas, Domenicali defined that newer followers are primarily drawn to the motion on monitor and the standard of the racing relatively than the technical complexity behind how the vehicles are pushed, reinforcing Method 1’s rising deal with delivering a extra entertaining spectacle.
He advised that Method 1 ought to proceed making the game simpler to observe for a broader viewers with out shedding its aggressive attraction. He additionally pointed to Max Verstappen’s overtake on Lewis Hamilton at Flip 1 in Hungary for instance of the kind of second that resonates with most viewers.
He argued that followers respect the talent required to provide spectacular strikes, no matter whether or not they perceive the exact position performed by throttle inputs, brake stress or electrical deployment. Whereas acknowledging that detailed technical knowledge stays essential for a smaller group of fans and can proceed to be accessible, he maintained that the overwhelming majority of Method 1 followers merely wish to watch thrilling racing and distinctive driving.
