After the Formula 1 qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, there was initially great confusion. Charles Leclerc was able to secure pole position ahead of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz, but for a long time it was unclear what the starting grid for the race would look like, as there were a total of nine drivers with grid penalties.
It took almost five hours after qualifying before Formula 1 announced the provisional starting grid for the race. Especially annoying for the fans, but even Alpine sport director Alan Permane, who was already aware of what the starting grid would look like, has no understanding for the long waiting time.
“We have guidelines from 2020 and I think the starting line-up was formed exactly as it says in that guideline,” said Permane. “And that policy was developed in conjunction with Formula 1 and the FIA and has been consistently applied ever since, so I don’t think there were any surprises on the grid.”
“Maybe there were some with people who didn’t know the policy, I think. But I agree that four hours of waiting is a bit long to wait for a starting grid,” says Alpine’s sporting director.
Why isn’t there an algorithm?
“I think it would be relatively easy for them to release it when the last car crosses the line, with the proviso that it could change after acceptance or whatever. They could put in any known penalties already. I’m sure, that [die FIA] there will agree. That would be better for everyone.”
The long waiting time is all the more incomprehensible for Permane, since the starting grid could be calculated with an algorithm that spits out the starting positions for the race Sunday immediately after qualifying.
“I can imagine that. I’m no expert but by the end of qualifying you have all the information and I’m sure they’ll look at it. I don’t know exactly why it took so long. I guess they double and triple checked everything.”
“That doesn’t change anything, does it? The grid has to be published four hours before the start of a race so it’s all good. What we get on Saturday night is a bonus and they publish a provisional grid. But I understand that it is is important for you and it’s important for us to develop our strategies and things like that,” explains Permane.
Is the FIA resistant to advice?
When asked if the FIA is open to suggestions for improvement, the Alpine sport director says: “We recently had a new man called Francois Sicard, who has worked in Formula 2 for a long time and who is definitely listening. He is a good man, but he hasn’t been there long, I think Baku was his first race.”
“They are listening, but there is still work to be done. We, all the teams, are happy to help. One of the nice things about the group that I see on the sporting advisory board is that in general we have a pretty broad consensus . We’re not like the technicians who only want the best for their team and car. It’s definitely not that obvious when it comes to the sporting rules.”
“These tend to be flat for everyone, the same for everyone. So we’re a reasonably constructive group. But we’ve only had one or two meetings this year, so we’re still figuring out the new regime, and this one I believe the new man, Francois, was only present at one of them. Progress is being made.”