“They didn’t have it 50 years ago and now we have it so then we just add a new column to the system.”
With the race setting the grid for Sunday, there is the risk of a crash or incident putting a driver at the back of the grid for the main race but that isn’t something Carlos Sainz says will be an issue when the lights go out on Saturday.
“Honestly, knowing Formula 1 drivers and the way we act in starts, I don’t think for those first six or seven corners we are going to think too much about Sunday, at least me,” the Spaniard said. “I think I’m gonna just go for it. But once the race settles down, yes, maybe we start thinking about Sunday.
“I don’t think approaching Turn Three I’m going to be thinking ‘oh, the race is tomorrow,’ that’s how I see it.”
The format is set to be trialled at a further two events this season but F1 managing director of motor sport Ross Brawn is confident that it can be a success despite reservations from some.
“These guys are incredibly competitive. And I believe that the sprint will be a very competitive event. And we’ll have no fears of drivers driving round in a conservative way,” Brawn said.
“We don’t truly know. I’ve made this slightly bizarre comment, I think these guys would race each other with shopping trolleys in the supermarket car park! They’re just so competitive, these guys, they’re almost unique in their competitiveness.”