F1 has always been about the fastest drivers, driving as fast as possible.
With how qualifying works, the fastest driver and car more often than not, is going to end up at the front.
More often than not, the fastest car in qualifying is also the fastest car in the race.
Therefore, unless someone makes a mistake, there is not going to be much overtaking. Mistakes can happen in Qual, and therefore the drivers starts further down then they should, or makes a mistake in the race, allowing the car behind a chance to get past.
This tends to mean the most exciting part of the race is the start, as this is where there is the greatest chance for the running order to change. So in that sense, I can see why people might think having two races would be a good idea. The promoters probably like it as well, as I suspect Saturday ticket sales will get a boost from this as well.
I don't think its a good idea, its fine in the lower series, as it gives those drivers more race experience. As a top driver in the lower series, its good that if you win the first race, you start tenth in the second race, as you need to then practice overtaking.
In F1, we don't need these gimmicks, we don't need random events effecting the championship. DRS does not make the sport more exciting, its just a way for the top teams to get away with making mistakes. Make a mistake and lose 20 seconds, no worries, we can use DRS to get past the midfield teams. Yes, they are overtakes, but there is not skill or effort required on the driver making the pass most of the time. An overtake should be earnt, you should do something brilliantly, or take advantage when the car in front makes a mistake. What is more exciting, a car catching another car and instantly passing, or a car following another car for 5/6 laps. Its the build up which makes the overtake more exciting.
I think DRS would be improved massively, if it was limited to 8 uses per race, so the attacking and defending driver can use it. Does not matter how far or behind the car is, you can use it when ever you want, but once all 8 uses are up, you can no longer use it. At least that gives the drivers who have not made a mistake, and who are about to be overtaken by a top team car, the chance to defend the move a little.
The tyre rules and Parc Ferme rules are also nice and complicated for this new format as well. Essentially you have one practice session, which you can only use two of the tyre compounds, to decide what setup your going to use for the rest of the weekend. And then the second practice, you are limited to just one tyre compound. You have introduced a budget cap this year to limit what teams can spend, so why do the teams still want rules to keep costs down? Parc Ferme rules should be scrapped, and with the limited budgets teams have they will now have to choose what they focus on, meaning there is more chance for mistakes, which could lead to the order being mixed up. It would also mean you could bring back the Sunday warm up session which I really miss.
I just dont understand why they are messing with the rules now. In the first race, Mercedes made a brilliant strategy decision and won the race. At Imola, Max made a brilliant start and got the win. We have one of the best seasons shaping up for a long time. I just dont think we need any more gimmicks in the sport.
If it was just a sprint race, where everyone could push flat out, with top 6 getting points, I think I would be more on-board with that. Qual on Friday determines grid for both races, so even if you get taken out, or car breaks down, you still have the feature race starting from your Friday Qual position. That would appeal to me a lot more, no tyre management or fuel management, just the 20 drivers pushing as hard as possible.
Not sure when Leclerc was going to wake up either.
