Ferrari expects spectacle with sprint race: 'Setup far from optimal'

This weekend Formula 1 will experiment with a new format. An extra sprint race on Saturday should provide more spectacle and more action on the track. A good change for the fans, but the teams don't like the format yet. At Ferrari there are still serious doubts if the format will work.

"This is because we also have to take into account the fact that we have a new tyre specification at Silverstone," team principal Mattia Binotto explained to Motorsport Week. That new specification was already tested in Austria and the results of those tests looked good according to Pirelli and so the teams will drive with those new tyres from the Grand Prix in Silverstone.

Low amounts of data could cause a spectacle

"Yes, we tested on it in Austria but almost all teams will need more data and experience on that tyre". The new tyres and qualifying on Friday afternoon will therefore provide spectacle according to Binotto. "We will have very little time because we only have the Friday morning before we have to qualify," he said.

"So I think some will also not have an optimal setup and that will also be messy. With that outlook it could be a great race weekend though". If they like the new format, Binotto also already has an idea how they can use it in the future."If we have two races at the same circuit, then maybe we can use this format to make the weekend different," the Italian concludes.