“It Would Make Things a Little Messy” – Daniel Ricciardo Voices Against Reverse Grids

Earlier, there were reports of F1 potentially introducing a new method to shake up the grid order. To be precise, the idea was to have a reverse grid qualifying sprint race. However, not many are big fans of the idea, namely Mercedes. Now, the latest critic is Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo.

The Australian driver believes that the sport can do without reverse grid qualifying races. According to the 30-year old, the format could “make things a little messy”. Admittedly, the reverse grid idea has been floated several times as an alternative to qualifying.

Ahead of the 2020 F1 season, the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone are set to host doubleheaders. In light of that, F1 proposed a change in the weekend format for the second race at each circuit.

Daniel Ricciardo was not the only one opposed to this gimmick

While many teams supported the proposal, Mercedes outright rejected it. The German manufacturer insisted that F1 did not need a “gimmick” to encourage exciting racing

Evidently, Daniel Ricciardo agreed, though he confessed that he saw the idea’s appeal. However, he insisted that qualifying was not a concept that needed fixing.

“I’m not always old-school, but I guess it’s not really the first on our priority list of things to change in the sport,” Ricciardo said in an Instagram Live chat.

“I can see how some fans would be like ‘yeah, it would be great to have the fast guys trying to come through the field’ and all of that. I see that point of view.

“There are a lot of scenarios where it wouldn’t work, and it would make things a little messy. I can see why from a couch potato [point of view], as I am right now, it could be exciting. But I think from a purist and a real racing point of view, I don’t think we need to go there just yet. That’s the best way to say it.”