NOVEMBER 26, 2016

Grid re-start rule change divides opinion

Opinions are divided in Abu Dhabi after Bernie Ecclestone and the teams agreed a novel rule-change for 2017.

Opinions are divided in Abu Dhabi after Bernie Ecclestone and the teams agreed a novel rule-change for 2017.

It emerges that, pending the approval of the World Motor Sport Council, cars will return to the grid for a standing start after every safety car period from next year.

"Apparently this is for entertainment reasons," said Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz.

He said his first reaction is that a mid-race grid re-starts "seem artificial", and may also be a backwards safety step in the event of wet races.

But Haas team boss Gunther Steiner backed the idea.

"We all like starts," he said. "There is a certain amount of risk, but when there is a risk, someone can win and someone can lose. So I think it's worth it and a plus for all of us."

(GMM)