Formula 1 will hold pre-race driver presentations at some races in 2023 following a change in the rules.
The FIA confirmed today the sporting regulations have been revised in order to extend the pre-race grid procedure. This will now begin 50 minutes before the formation lap is due to start instead of 40.This has been done so that “at certain races, this additional time will be used for the presentation of the drivers to the fans”.
F1 previously tried holding a pre-race driver presentation at the 2017 United States Grand Prix, the first event held in America after the series’ commercial rights were taken over by Liberty Media. Famed boxing announcer Michael Buffer was brought in to introduce the drivers ahead of the race at the Circuit of the Americas.
No indication has been given which races the presentations will take place at. Such introductions are a familiar part of major motorsport races in the United States such as the Indianapolis 500.
There are three rounds in the USA on the F1 calendar this year. The first, in Miami, takes place in two weekends’ time. COTA’s race is scheduled in October and F1 will return to Las Vegas for the first time in over 40 years in November.
Some drivers were unimpressed by F1’s previous attempt to hold a pre-race presentation in 2017. Fernando Alonso described it as a “bad copy” of the Indianapolis 500, which he raced at that year and again in 2020.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Gallery: 2017 United States Grand Prix driver presentation
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2023 F1 season
- FIA president cleared of alleged interference in two 2023 races
- First week viewing figures for new Drive to Survive season fall again
- Max who? Drive to Survive season six prefers its favourite faces
- RaceFans’ complete 2023 season review
- The F1 drivers who pulled off the 10 biggest charges through the field in 2023
danarcha (@danarcha)
25th April 2023, 18:26
“Let’s get ready to RRUUUUUUMMBBBLLEE!!!”
Please no. As an American, I can’t stand some of the cringy things we have done to sports in the name of entertainment. It’s fine to introduce the drivers to the crowd and TV audience but there is no chance this doesn’t end up going over the top and become a farce.
George (@feral)
25th April 2023, 18:56
This is all getting ridiculous. When will circuits be called circus. When will we get cheer leaders before and after the national anthem and why not have clowns with sponsered umbrellas for each driver now we no longer have grid girls. I have followed Fi since 1959 but it won’t be for much longer.
Feuerdrache (@xenomorph91)
25th April 2023, 20:35
We already have clowns on the grid – Ferrari.
Steve K
25th April 2023, 19:15
This is an American thing? They don’t introduce the starting eleven in soccer matches over there? Real nice guys.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
25th April 2023, 23:00
Will there be fake showbiz drivers in their late 50s (not you, Fernando) among them?
pastaman
25th April 2023, 23:05
I don’t have a problem with it. If you think the introductions are cheesy don’t watch them, it’s only 10 minutes.
Asanator
25th April 2023, 23:50
Oh come on, we all know which 3 races will have these!
cdfemke (@cdfemke)
26th April 2023, 0:22
Barf :(
Jere (@jerejj)
26th April 2023, 6:48
I don’t mind an awful lot.
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
26th April 2023, 8:39
I don’t watch the build up and this will probably happen before the grid walk so its not really something on my radar to be honest. I generally start to watch a couple of minutes before the start of the qualifying session(s) race(s) and podium.
Pick up some practice sessions if I am able to – but not important.
The fanfare and frippery are for the show not the race – I like racing.