{"id":298304,"date":"2023-11-05T13:24:49","date_gmt":"2023-11-05T13:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=298304"},"modified":"2023-11-05T13:24:49","modified_gmt":"2023-11-05T13:24:49","slug":"red-bull-struggler-sergio-perez-calls-for-gp-sprint-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/racing\/f1\/red-bull-struggler-sergio-perez-calls-for-gp-sprint-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Bull struggler Sergio Perez calls for GP sprint changes"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Red Bull struggler Sergio Perez has called for a major change to the Grand Prix sprint format after finishing third in Saturday\u2019s race in Brazil. Perez, who has struggled for form in recent times and has won just four Grands Prix over the last two years, says it would be \u201cinteresting\u201d to start sprint races with a reverse grid.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think if they want to keep this format of the sprint races, we’ve got to change it,\u201d Perez told reporters on Saturday. \u201cI would propose a reverse grid, something that can make it more interesting for the fans because I don’t think it’s doing what we want to achieve.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing really happens in this sort of race. I think [a reversed grid] will mix up things and create more opportunities, a lot more overtaking. If we want to keep this format, [we should] give it a go on something quite different, because I think for the last two years this sort of event hasn’t brought a lot of good racing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sprint format was introduced to F1 in 2021 and was expanded from three races to six ahead of this season. The event no longer impacts qualifying positions for the main Grand Prix but does return points for the top eight finishers.<\/p>\n

Read more… <\/strong> Max Verstappen at centre of ridiculous paddock rumours ahead of Brazilian GP<\/strong><\/p>\n

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A whole host of F1 drivers have spoken out against the sprint event in the past, and three-time champion Max Verstappen has been scathing in his assessment of the format. \u201cJust a normal race weekend, please, thank you,\u201d Verstappen told media in Brazil when asked about what changes he would like to see in the sport. \u201cI’m not interested in any changes – I don’t like it (the sprint format).\u201d<\/p>\n

And he later explained: \u201cThey just do whatever they want. I think it’s just making stuff up because they don’t really know what to do. That bothers me anyway. Why does the sport suddenly have to be different? Other sports don’t change their rules all the time either. I don’t get all that. It’s all about making as much money as possible. I don’t like it at all.\u201d<\/p>\n