Formula 1 is risking the wrath of its drivers by eyeing controversial reversed grids for the 2027 season.
Renowned F1 journalist Chris Medland revealed the proposals which have had a mixed response from fans and the current drivers.
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Reverse grids have long been mooted in F1, with CEO Stefano Domenicali known to be a huge fan of the idea which is widely adopted in other forms of motorsport.
Should such changes be approved, they would only be applied in sprint races which were added to the calendar in 2021.
The shortened Saturday events were initially added to three Grand Prix weekends, but now stand at six, with the British, Canadian and Dutch races announced as new hosts for 2026.
Should things take another turn in ‘27, not everyone will be impressed, including current championship leader Oscar Piastri.
“Reverse grids – it might sound obvious from where I’m sat, but it’s a bad idea,” the McLaren driver said.
“Just from a purely sporting and competitive side of things, I think the last thing we want as a sport is things being decided — or critical results happening — because of reverse grid races and stuff like that.
“In Formula 1, there’s nothing more than winning the championship. In F2 and F3 [where reverse grids are used], you’re kind of showcasing yourself as to why you should get into F1, and I think that’s a way of showcasing certain things.
“At the end of the day, the people that will put you in F1 know whether you’ve done a good job or not, regardless of the results. In Formula 1, you don’t have that next step.”
Reverse grids typically don’t see the entire order flipped, but in many case just the point scoring positions, which would be the top ten qualifiers in F1.
Reports add that the number of events could also be doubled from six to 12.
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Piastri and teammate Lando Norris have been inseparable this season, but new rules would see them tangling past slower cars during sprint racesCredit: GettyLewis Hamilton isn’t a fan of reverse grids
The idea was last on the agenda back in 2019 when the sport was far less competitive and dominated by Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes.
The Brit was asked for his thoughts after qualifying second in Singapore, and was clearly so annoyed that he just let out a muffled answer.
“I don’t really know what to say to it,” he replied with his head rested on his hand.
“The people that propose it don’t really know what they’re talking about.”
Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel was sitting alongside, and asked what Hamilton said, but didn’t get a response.
The German then turned to the journalist who asked the question with a smile and said: “I think it’s complete bulls*** to be honest.”
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Vettel had Hamilton in stitches when the pair both slammed the idea of reversed gridsCredit: F1
The room cracked up, as did Hamilton, who replied: “That’s exactly what I said!”
Vettel then added: “I think know that if you want to improve things it’s very clear that we need to string the field more together to 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 completely the wrong approach.”
Hamilton then finished: “He said it better than me!”