Would F1 wildcards be welcomed? Our F1 writers have their say

After the idea of a Formula 1 wildcard system was floated by teams and series bosses, it is a prospect that has sparked debate.

From providing rookies with a golden chance to impress, to adding an extra competition dimension to F1, the pitch was put forward for evaluation at an F1 Commission meeting in London earlier this week.

Here, our writers give their take on the idea and what could happen.

A fantastic idea to let talent flourish but practicalities get in the way – Jon Noble

The buzz around Andrea Kimi Antonelli this year, and Oliver Bearman’s impressive debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, shows there is a great deal of interest in the next generation coming through.

But F1 teams have always found themselves a bit conflicted about how best to get rookies race ready – which is why in theory a wildcard system would be fantastic.

With the grid so competitive now, and the fight for constructors’ championship positions so intense, the reluctance to risk everything by committing for a whole season to a rookie who will make mistakes is pretty obvious.

Points mean prizes in F1, and there is no better way to bring them home than have an experienced hand on tap.

While that is obvious for the present, it bottles up problems for the future in making it difficult to bring the next generation of talent through.

There is an element of bravery to a frontrunning team taking on a rookie, but McLaren has shown with Oscar Piastri that it can be done well.

But that approach at the front is the exception rather than the rule, and often only comes after a bunch of testing in old cars (just as Mercedes is doing with Antonelli).

The huge fan interest that Bearman’s debut triggered in Saudi showed the value to be had in one-off outings – and just imagine that repeated at more races around the world.

Sadly, practicalities get in the way. F1’s cost cap and equipment/personnel restrictions (plus garage space) means a third car cannot run, and it would be lunacy to impose a rule that says a team must replace one of its regulars with a rookie at a certain number of races per year.

F1 has a precent for third cars – James Newbold

Imagine the crossover stories. As Red Bull’s simulator driver, it was logical that Jake Dennis should be given a Friday practice run out in Abu Dhabi last year. If the outgoing Formula E champion was given a chance at a race weekend outing, along…