‘Class B’ F1 talk polarises the drivers

There’s been a lot of talk about Formula 1’s unofficial ‘Class B’ lately in the wake of the domination of the top three teams – with Autosport even running a table – and it has caused polarising views among the drivers ‘competing’ in it.

Force India’s Sergio Perez says it is a negative concept. “You cannot compete,” he told Autosport. “The last four or five years it was simply two categories in Formula 1. I’ve never heard before, that people were talking about, ‘Yeah, I won the race’ when you are best of the rest or, ‘I’m leading the championship’ if you are best of the rest. That shouldn’t be the way. That is damaging the sport a lot.”

But Haas star Kevin Magnussen (below), who stands 22 points adrift of Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg in the ‘fake’ table, uses it as motivation. “I’m kind of creating this big championship in my head,” he said. “I know it doesn’t exist, but in my head it’s something to motivate myself with.

“I’ve let go of those top three teams, I’m not worried about that, but we are in an even fight with the two or three other teams in the midfield and that fight is something I really want to win.”

Magnussen is expected to extend his time with Haas. “It’s a stable team that gives you a good car, that can still fight for points and still fight for that Class B championship,” he said. “I probably have the best car of the trailing teams. I couldn’t ask for more.”