Ahead of his NASCAR debut, 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has identified stage points as something the pinnacle of motorsport could learn from the American stock car series.
Along with fellow F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen, Button will race at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas in the cup series in two weeks, before taking part in two further events in Chicago and Indianapolis this summer.
The cup series points system sees points handed out in three stages of the race, and Button feels this is something F1 could explore.
READ MORE: Button to contest three NASCAR Cup rounds in 2023
“I think the great thing about F1 is they are very open to changes and tickling it here,” he said. “We have the sprint races, which I think work really well. Not everyone’s going to be happy when you change a sport that has been the same for so long. But I like that change.
“In NASCAR they have stage points through the race. That could make it interesting because it depends on when you pit for tyres.
“If you get points at certain points through the race, if it’s lap, 20 lap 40 and the end of the race, it might change strategies around. Who knows? I don’t know if it would work.”
The 43-year-old, who has also tried his hand in endurance racing, is happy with where F1 is but affirms that it needs to keep trying new things.
“I think F1 is in a great place, I enjoy the racing,” added Button. “The dream in F1 is that the cars are lighter, that’s always the dream, because I think as drivers, we like lightweight cars – he says, as he’s about to race a stock car!
“But I’m happy with where F1 is, as long as we’re ready to tickle things here and there if we think it’s necessary, and try it and not be afraid.”
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