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'Drove like a grandma': F1 star slams 'rubbish' rule

Romain Grosjean has criticised Formula One officials for persisting with the ‘rubbish’ rule that forces the fastest drivers to start races on used tyres.

The competition’s rules dictate that drivers who reach the final qualifying phase must start the tyres they used to progress out of the second phase, while the remaining racers free to choose fresh rubber.

The Singapore Grand Prix two weeks ago saw the top six – Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari – finish in the same order they started but the mid-range pack was shaken up.

Top-10 starters Grosjean, Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg were overtaken by drivers who started on harder tyres after needing to replace their struggling boots early.

“I think it was a rubbish situation to be qualifying between seventh and 10th, and have to start on hypersofts,” the Haas driver said.

“(It) is a bit sad knowing that P13 has an advantage on P7 on the grid. I took it very, very slowly initially in the race, I drove like a grandma, trying to take care of the tyres.

Romain Grosjean would rather qualify down the order than go for broke before the race. Pic: Getty
Romain Grosjean would rather qualify down the order than go for broke before the race. Pic: Getty

“Five laps after the safety car they just went. We had to pit and eventually ended up in traffic, with Sergio there and Hulkenberg, and we just couldn’t do anything.”

Such circumstances are rare, depending on particular tracks and tyre combinations, but there are fears this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix at the 5.85km Sochi track could pan out the same way.

In a warning to FIA race director Charlie Whiting and those in charge of the sporting regulations, Grosjean said he might prefer to miss out on the final qualifying phase to avoid being helplessly overtaken.

“If here the same situation (occurs) we’re not going to try to make it to Q3,” he said.

“I don’t think that’s great for F1, for the show, and for ourselves either. Just thinking I don’t want to make it to Q3, it’s a real disadvantage. What’s the point of qualifying then?”

Renault’s Carlos Sainz was one of three drivers who benefited from the Singapore situation.

He jumped up from 12th on the grid to eighth as Fernando Alonso took his McLaren from 12th to eighth and Sauber’s Charles Leclerc went from 13th to ninth.

Where will Romain Grosjean start on the grid in Sochi this weekend? Pic: Getty
Where will Romain Grosjean start on the grid in Sochi this weekend? Pic: Getty

Yet Sainz agrees with Grosjean – a rule change would be nice.

“It was a disadvantage for sure for the guys starting in the top 10,” said the Spaniard.

“It is also true that disadvantage you’re going to get it in some races, and some others (you won’t). I got it in China, for example, and they didn’t. Through the year it should normally be a level thing.

“It is a situation that is quite strange, and probably doesn’t make justice to the guys that went into Q3, and it’s probably something F1 needs to look into. I think they will for next year.

“It is a subject that has come up in a few meetings now with Charlie (Whiting), and they said they’re looking into it.”

with Autosport