Russian Daniil Kvyat has compared Formula One’s controversial system of penalties for engine replacements to forcing a sprinter to run an extra 50 metres in a 100-metre race.
The 21-year-old Red Bull driver said he feels the current system, widely criticised by teams and paddock observers, is ridiculous and unfair and should be revised for next season.
Kvyat and his Red Bull team-mate Australian Daniel Ricciardo have already used more than their permitted four Renault power units each and are suffering severe penalties similar to those that saw both McLaren-Hondas start the Austrian Grand Prix from the back of the grid, after each was given a 25-place penalty.
“I always found this rule a bit ridiculous, to be honest,” said Kvyat.
“I think F1, first of all, is a sport and I don’t know in any other sport where you get an injury and you have to start even further back.
“Let’s say a sprinter gets an injury and then, in the 100 metre sprint, you have to start 50 metres further back…
“I don’t think that would be really fair.”
Looking further ahead, he added: “The rules are what they are and hopefully they will realise that it’s not really right and hopefully for next year they will correct this.”