Although I agree that it was the best race of the year (or maybe more), I cannot see the reverse grid being of much use. The only thing it will do is cause greater havoc at the first corner.

What made this race what it was:
- Lewis got 10 seconds stationary, not 5.
- The drive-through at Monza is longer than most pit lanes (by 4 or 5 seconds).
- The penalty happened on lap 27 of a 53 lap race, which negated all gains from the first half, bunched up the pack, and made the second half essentially a sprint.
- Bottas and Verstappen had obvious issues which drove them out of contention on the day. Ferrari was running a different series from F1 (in a bad way) already.
- The midfield (McLaren, Alpha Tauri and Renault) are all strong at the moment.
- Monza has demands not typical of an F1 track.
- Monza actually has good passing opportunities in several areas.
- The two safety cars meant that some teams had used up their tire choices. Alfa would never have put Kimi out on reds for 26 laps otherwise. That cost the team at least a point.

Given that most of the cars get lapped by the podium-sitters during a race, and the mid field is still in the middle regardless of who is in the front, I don't see what reverse grid would do to liven up the spectacle. It would likely be a dis-incentive for the top and bottom teams to develop their cars. If Haas were to podium because of a trick at the start, would that improve the sport in anyone's eyes?

^^^Agreed! What Sunday showcased was the talent of the midfield. I love Gasley...the kid needs his seat back. He just needed some time to mature so that he can handle the pressure. McClaren will be the team to watch next year when they get Mercedes power plants!

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Gasly might be happy he wasn't in a Red Bull this weekend, considering how poorly they did! ;-)

McLaren - gets Mercedes and a Ricciardo upgrade! Looking forward to that a LOT!

McClaren is going to be tough as Norris is starting to find his rhythm as well.


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And can you imagine the after-party, with Norris and Ricciardo on the same team? They’ve been cracking each other up for a year and a half already!

New PU from Mercedes and those 2 drivers. Soon to be my fave team!! :happydance::driving::tup:

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/15...onza-fightback

Mercedes Formula 1 chief Toto Wolff acknowledged the FIA's ban on engine mode changes hindered both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas' fightback drives at the Italian Grand Prix.

Italy marked the first grand prix since the FIA issued a technical directive banning engine mode setting changes in qualifying and the race, forcing drivers to remain in the same power setting throughout the weekend.

The ruling had zero impact on Mercedes' qualifying pace as it romped to a front row lock-out, but hit hard in the race when both Hamilton and Bottas suffered setbacks.

A poor start followed by some car-related struggles meant Bottas could only finish fifth, while early leader Hamilton fought back to seventh after receiving a stop/go penalty that dropped him to the rear of the pack.

Whereas both drivers could have previously turned up their engines at select moments to try overtakes, they were forced to remain in the same setting throughout, hindering their fightback.

"We always said that, you create one power mode for the whole race means that you haven't got the extra spice to overtake," Wolff said.

"You haven't got the extra modes that you may decide or not to deploy in the race to overtake, and that is valid for all the small teams as for the big teams.

"I think that the race is a consequence of that decision."

Wolff praised Hamilton for his "really good" recovery drive despite the engine mode technical directive after the six-time world champion fought back from 17th to seventh.

"It is difficult to overtake in Monza, because with this TD on engine modes, you can't just turn it up for the overtakes and you can't turn it up either to defend," Wolff said.

"Even more the drive is very good to recover to P7. But obviously it's a lost race for him and the team, and this sentiment prevails."

Hamilton said that the ruling would lead to a general lack of overtaking at races, similar to what was seen at Monza.

"It's worse for racing in the sense that in the past you could move between modes and you had to manage the small amount of strong race engine mode, because you only have a certain quota," he said.

"It was more fun to have to manage with that and manage the power and utilise it for overtaking.

"That's probably why you see less overtaking than perhaps in the past."

Bottas reported an issue on his car in the opening stages of the race that meant he struggled through right-hand corners, leaving him unable to get close to cars ahead.

The Finn crossed the line fifth after spending the second half of the race stuck behind Lando Norris, but said the engine mode change ban played a role in stunting his fightback.

"It could be slightly part of the new regulations that everyone is just running constant mode in terms of trying to save and attack, so maybe there's less overtaking because of that," Bottas said.

"But even in Monza, the DRS effect is quite a bit smaller because the wing is smaller, and you have less drag anyway.

"For me the core issue was trying to get close to the cars, enough to try and overtake and get like a massive tow. But it definitely felt pretty impossible to overtake any car that I was battling."

Difficult to pass at Monza? Well, when cars are equally fast, perhaps, but there seem to be lots of opportunities in a lap. And almost every car on every proved that.

I think Merc hedged their bets Sunday, tuning Hamilton’s engine up to make up for lost party mode and Bottas’ down to avoid failure. Guess they have some work ahead of them.

Perez out and Vettel in at Racing Point/Aston Martin just seems all wrong to me....
Just my gut....
:eek:

It is an upgrade. I am excited for Vettel and would like to see AM RP beat the 5h!t out of Ferrari. Perez seemed off in the last couple of races and think that's when serious conversations began taking place. Can't blame the senior Stroll for keeping things in the family.

Agree.

Now, on the other hand, if Lewis came knocking on Lawrence Stroll's door...
:yum:

(not likely, but would be a fun team, with a Merc copy and power).

What's this I hear that Ferrari will be allowed to upgrade their PU for 2021 when all engine development had been frozen?

EDIT: Anyone here believe that the timing of the Vettel announcement just ahead of Ferrari's 1000th GP at their home track in Mugello, was mere coincidence???

:rofl2:

All part of the show.

Very wrong. Some sources are saying in actuality Perez is the better racer right now vs Vettel. Consistent, fast and solid. Vettel is so hit and miss so to speak. This will be the Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee story for next year yes???

Of the two drivers Stroll should be out his seat. Nikko Holcomberge out drove him lol!

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Interesting race today, same outcome, but the back of the pack sure like to crash
2 - red flags
3 - standing starts
1 - rolling start that was a wreck feast at back of the gird.

Believe HAAS has the slowest car now....

Bottas, got a great start on the first start, but safety car took that away....
Never did as good on next two starts....

Albon finished 3rd....

really have to watch the race ------