Fernando Alonso has reignited his criticism of Formula 1's weekend format, calling for significant changes to improve the spectacle.
The sprint race in Qatar proved to be uneventful, with drivers struggling to overtake on a circuit characterized by sweeping fast corners.
"It's difficult to overtake on this circuit," Alonso told Spanish reporters. "But I think the format doesn't help more than the circuit itself.
"In a qualifying with Q1, Q2, and Q3, the best drivers will always start in front and finish in front. We started 11th and finished 11th. In my opinion, the format needs to be changed."
Alonso, 43, has long advocated for a return to single-lap qualifying, a format scrapped years ago due to a lack of fan popularity. He argues that the current system often leaves midfield teams without opportunities to improve their positions during sprint events.
"Well, if you don't want to do a reverse grid—which I guess the best teams especially don't want to—or you don't want to make the qualifying format more interesting, perhaps with one-lap qualifying, then the teams behind won't get many opportunities," he said.
"On these Saturdays, all we see is a repeat of the first laps of Sunday's grand prix. It's happened now at all of the circuits. Only Brazil had a sprint with more position changes, and that's because there is more degradation there and more things happen."
Alonso also downplayed expectations for Sunday's main race in Qatar, predicting another straightforward and uninspiring affair.
"I think it will be similar, with one stop for everyone," he said. "But instead of 40 minutes, it will be an hour and a half. So I recommend that people who are thinking of watching, maybe get some food ready," Alonso joked.
