Sprint races could change format in 2023
On the program this Saturday at Interlagos, the sprint races could change format. Although there will be six of them by 2023, they are far from being unanimously approved.
Having made its debut at the 2021 Silverstone Grand Prix, the sprint race covers a distance of 100 kilometers. While the 2021 and 2022 calendars only included three sprint races, the 2023 calendar announces six. In this scenario, the drivers participate in the first free practice sessions on Friday, followed by a qualifying session later in the day. The results of this qualifying session then determine the starting grid for the sprint race. The sprint race takes place on Saturday and cannot exceed 30 minutes. The result of this race sets the grid for the Sunday race.
Its importance is not insignificant, especially since it allows the top 8 drivers to collect points. Since 2022, the winner of the sprint race will be able to collect 8 points, the second-place 7 points, and so on. If the same driver were to win both the sprint race and the Sunday race, they could accumulate a whopping 34 points.
A race strongly criticized by the drivers.
If the sprint race aims to refresh a format deemed outdated, some drivers don’t see the point.
“Honestly, I’m not a big fan of it because I don’t feel like we’re really racing,” says Max Verstappen. “Sure, there are a few points at stake, but you also know that you can’t take too many risks in order to not jeopardize yourself for the real race where the big points are distributed.”
But the Dutch driver is not the only one. Kevin Magnussen shares his opinion « Max is right, because the risks taken during the sprint have an impact on the starting grid on Sunday. Why not completely separate the Sprint from the Grand Prix, so that everything is given on Saturday? »
So, what format for 2023?
The FOM (Formula One Management) has looked into the matter and is studying a potential independence of the sprint race. It would then have its own qualifying session, while the long Sunday race would keep its traditional qualifying session. This emancipation of the sprint race would help address the concerns of the drivers and approach the sprint race with more confidence.
