Formation lap is completely useless then?

So apparently the formation lap doesn't make any difference at all except wearing down the tyres a bit? If so it's completely useless since we neither can retire from a online race during the formation lap(this would be great for live coverages stream so the streamer don't miss the start as it does in older games). 


I love the game so far, but sorry I just got to say that the formation lap is quite stupid if it doesn't affect anything except the tyre wear.  You shouldn't remove it, but surely change it so there could be at least one reason to do the lap.