The FIA has introduced {that a} deliberate rookie Dash race to happen on the finish of the season in Abu Dhabi is not going to now happen.
Following the summer time break, ow nonetheless, Stefano Domenicali revealed that there had been discuss of a one-off Dash to happen as a part of the post-season check in Abu Dhabi.
There’s a mission on the desk,” he advised Motorsport.com, “particularly the potential of organising a dash race for younger drivers in Abu Dhabi.
“We’re reflecting on how you can give younger individuals the chance throughout the Yas Marina check to shine and achieve expertise,” he provides, “not solely by driving within the check, but in addition in a aggressive context. It will definitely assist their coaching, geared toward making them ready for the subsequent step.
“We are going to speak about it intimately by the tip of September to grasp the feasibility of this concept.”
The groups have been in full assist.
I believe it is nice,” stated Haas boss Ayao Komatsu. “You realize, the post-season check, if we do not do issues like that, you’re simply doing the tyre check. So I believe it provides worth to the day and makes it extra thrilling and one other alternative to place younger drivers within the automobile.
“Nowadays, it is such a uncommon alternative for younger drivers to get within the present Method 1 automobile,” he added. “So I believe it is actually an attention-grabbing transfer.”
“I totally agree,” added Stake’s Alessandro Alunni Bravi. “It is necessary to provide the rookies extra alternatives, to indicate them.
“We all know how a lot it is tough to get into Method 1,” he continued, “so I believe that FP1 periods usually are not adequate to showcase what you are able to do. and there are a number of dangers linked to correct efficiency in FP1 additionally for the group.
“It is a very nice alternative. Additionally for us, not having a TPC program it is a further alternative to have extra knowledge and to evaluate not simply the efficiency itself, additionally the mindset and the strategy of the rookie driver.”
“It is one thing that I tabled on the final couple of Method 1 Fee as a result of I believe it is nice for the younger drivers,” stated Christian Horner. “I believe that the issue with a few of the rookie assessments is all of them get used for testing. You by no means know, are they working on 50 kilos, 70 kilos, 30 kilos of gas? What engine mode are they going? You do not actually know. You do not know how the opposition are doing.
“So I believe it is a non-championship race for the junior drivers. I believe it is a improbable alternative and I believe that it comes on the finish of a busy season, however opposed to simply working round burning gas and tyres and solely the groups which might be working these drivers understanding whether or not they’re doing a very good job or to not give probably 10 drivers or 10 rookies the chance of leaping within the present automobiles and having the equal of a Dash race, I believe is improbable. And I believe it will be a extremely fashionable occasion.”
Requested if it was possible that the Dash will happen on the finish of this season, Horner stated: “Nicely, it is like all issues in life: if you would like it to occur, you make it occur.
“I believe there was a transparent directive to say, come on, let’s get the job performed for this 12 months. And so clearly that places stress on the Sporting Working Teams and the assorted group managers to work with the FIA to provide you with a set of laws. However I believe primarily adopting Dash regs and so forth, it is eminently doable.
“It would not must be overcomplicated,” he insisted. “I believe it is simply going to be a single automobile from every group moderately than two automobiles. And successfully, you are simply utilizing the mileage another way versus, you already know, simply performing over throughout a check day.
“So I believe the occasion will happen all in someday… a qualifying after which the equal of a dash race. So, yeah, it comes on the finish of an extended season, however I believe it will be an important factor. It is an important alternative for the younger drivers, and we’re totally supportive of it.”
Nonetheless, at yesterday’s assembly of the F1 Fee it was agreed that it was not possible to carry the occasion this 12 months and as an alternative it’s hoped to carry the occasion in 2025.
“The idea of a “rookie race” to be added to the 2024 post-season check schedule at Abu Dhabi was mentioned,” stated the FIA in a press release.
“Whereas the idea obtained widespread assist, it was decided that resulting from timing and organisational constraints, the occasion wouldn’t happen in 2024, and discussions will proceed to formulate a possible idea and plan for 2025.”
