The F1 is requesting six sprint races for 2023
In the midst of discussions with the teams this Tuesday, Formula 1 expressed its desire to increase the number of sprint races in a season and aims to organize six of them as early as next year.
This Tuesday, Formula 1 officials and teams are gathered in London for a commission. Originally, the plan was to increase the number of sprint races from three in 2021 to six in 2022, but the budget cap has decided otherwise. After a debate on the costs involved in such an organization, only three sprints remain for this season. While those in Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands have been canceled, Formula 1 executives Stefano Domenicali and Ross Brawn intend to push for their implementation as early as 2023.
A few days earlier, the first sprint of the season in Imola was won by Max Verstappen. With these eight additional points added to his 26 points from the victory, the Dutch driver reclaimed second place in the driver’s standings behind Charles Leclerc. Clearly, the sprint format seems to have been well received by the general public, and F1 wants to take advantage of the moment to showcase the qualities of the sprint.
Economic arguments
Interrogated about this, Ross Brawn explained his point of view. “We would like to have six races next year,” Brawn declared. “We have always had the goal of bringing in new Formula 1 fans. And we are achieving that, I believe we are reaching a younger demographic. We are concerned that F1 is becoming a sport of old white men,” he revealed.
« But we also think that it can be interesting to have half-hour races, with lots of action, without any strategy so that fans don’t have to say to themselves “He made his pit stop on the 13th lap, he made his on the 17th, he’s going to have better tires.” It’s fantastic to have people really engaged in F1, we don’t want to take that away. » developed Ross Brawn.
Furthermore, the sprint format allows for a longer weekend,” explained Brawn. “Having a race on Friday would be a great opportunity from an economic standpoint, as the sprint race would fill up the stands and encourage people to tune in to their televisions. What’s more, Formula 1 could create some sort of prize for the sprints, establishing a ‘sprint champion’ at the end of the season.”
However, Formula 1 must face the reluctance of some and intends to convince them during the London commission this Tuesday.
