24 December 2023 , 06:00
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Reverse grid races are currently being discussed by Formula 1 chiefs for the 2024 season - but this is hardly the first time the idea has been suggested.
It has come up many times over the years. But never did a driver give a more emphatic response to the suggestion than Sebastian Vettel did in 2019 - leaving Lewis Hamilton in hysterics as he did so.
They were joined by Charles Leclerc on a press conference panel at the Singapore Grand Prix that year. The Monegasque racer had just secured pole position for that weekend's race, while Hamilton and Vettel joined him in the top three.
The topic of reverse grids was brought up by one journalist who asked all three of them to give their views on the idea. Leclerc was the first to respond and was, by far, the most diplomatic.
"I would not be happy," smirked the Ferrari driver. "I'm a lot happier to start first tomorrow. I don't think it is the solution for Formula 1. I think the best should win and start from the best place and not in a reverse order. So, I don't think it's the solution."
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Hamilton was next to be pressed on the topic and he sighed before responding: "I don't really know what to say to it - the people who proposed it don't really know what they are talking about."
He then shook his head before turning to his left because Vettel asked: "What did you say?" There was a slightly awkward pause, before the German completely removed any tension by bluntly stating: "I think it's complete bulls**t, to be honest."
That prompted a roar of laughter from Hamilton who looked back at Vettel and giggled: "That's exactly what I said!" The Mercedes racer was still chuckling away as Leclerc's Ferrari team-mate elaborated slightly on his answer.
Vettel added: "I think we know that we want to improve things, it's very clear we need to string the field more together and have better racing. It's just a plaster - I don't know which genius came up with this but it's not the solution. It's the complete wrong approach." Hamilton then looked out at the rest of the room, pointed at Vettel and smirked: "He said it better than me!"
Reverse grids are being considered only for the Sprint races from the 2024 season onwards to make the competitive short-form sessions more exciting for fans. It is one of several innovations being discussed by the FIA and the F1 Commission with that goal in mind, with any changes due to be communicated before the start of the campaign.