F1 reveals the list of sprint races for 2024: China and Miami in the spotlight
The F1 has announced the 6 Grand Prix that will host a sprint race in 2024. Among them, China, which is making its big comeback next season, and Miami, which will host the format for the first time.
While the format is being debated and stirring up the paddock during this off-season, the F1 has announced in a press release the list of Grand Prix races that will host the “sprint” format in 2024.
The same number of sprints as in 2023
Just a reminder, in 2023 there were 6 sprint races on the schedule: Baku, Spa-Francorchamps, Losail, Austin, Red Bull Ring (Austria) and Interlagos. The number remains the same, but with different destinations.
The first sprint race of the season will take place in China on April 19, marking the return of Formula 1 to the Middle Kingdom. Indeed, the last editions were cancelled due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
For the next Grand Prix, it will be Miami that will host this weekend format for the first time. As is now customary, Austria will host a sprint format at the beginning of summer.
You will then have to wait until October to see another race on Saturday, it will be in Austin. Brazil and Qatar are the last two destinations chosen for this particular format.
Stefano Domenicali, the director of F1, expressed his enthusiasm: “(e) I am delighted to announce six exciting circuits for next season’s F1 Sprint events, including two new hosts, China and Miami, which will be fantastic additions and will provide excellent racing for all the fans in attendance and those watching at home.”
A sprint race that brings in audiences according to F1
Nevertheless, Stefano Domenicali does not hide the commercial nature of the sprint format: « Since its creation in 2021, the Sprint has continuously increased its television audience, provided more entertainment to fans during events, and enhanced fan engagement on social and digital platforms.
In its statement, the F1 highlighted the growth of TV audiences on Fridays (which includes practice sessions and qualifying) during a sprint weekend compared to a regular weekend: “« Since its launch in 2021, the F1 Sprint has had a positive impact on audience numbers, particularly on Fridays compared to practice sessions, and has provided promoters and fans with an additional competitive event on the track during the six events. For example, at the Azerbaijan GP, the audience for qualifying was +83% compared to FP2 in 2022, +139% for the United States GP, and +34% for the Belgium GP. »”
The question remains as to what format will be adopted for these sprint weekends in 2024, as a proposal is to be made to the teams at the beginning of January.
