Big Changes in Formula 1: Here's the New Sprint Weekend Format.
Formula 1 introduced changes to the weekend structure; more meaningful track time will keep fans engaged through Friday and Saturday, before the main event on Sunday.
The FIA, alongside ten teams in Formula 1, agreed to bring significant changes to the weekend format whenever there is a sprint race. The new structure will be applied on Baku, during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix which takes place on April 30th.
The weekend will be distributed as follows:
Day | Session |
Friday | Free Practice (Only session) |
| Main Race Qualifying (Q1, Q2, and Q3 Format) |
Saturday | Sprint Race Qualifying (1-Lap Shootout) |
| Sprint Race |
Sunday | Grand Prix (Main Race) |
Keeping fans entertained
Formula 1 attempts to have fans engaged through the whole weekend by providing more significant track time. Instead of having the cars lap around without a 'real' goal during Friday, fans can be interested in assisting the stands because qualifying for Sunday's race will be on the line.
A single practice session also means more engagement from the fans; they will have a short but sweet Friday with Grand Prix Qualifying as the main event later during the day. Come Saturday, fans can enjoy a whole day dedicated to the Sprint Race, with points on the line. The 1-Lap shootout will certainly keep everyone on edge. Drivers will be able to push 100% without worrying about traffic.
The main dish for Saturday is, of course, the Sprint Race, with points on the line. A short format with fewer laps will have drivers pushing to secure a handful of points before they go into the main race on Sunday.
Teams and drivers will be occupied
Less free practice time means more significant track time. Unfortunately for teams, they will have less time to set up the car and iron any details they might find. Usually, teams run a race, and qualifying simulation during Friday and Saturday. They run the cars with a full fuel tank to test the car's behavior during long stints; for qualifying, they run low fuel loads with the softest tire compound available in order to find the car's real pace.
One single practice session will also mean more track time for all the teams. They will all be constantly on track, trying to make up for the reduced practice time. The FIA and Formula 1 have always wanted to have the cars lap around the track at all times. The new sprint weekend format will certainly enable that.
Drivers will have less time to find the limits of grip, and what the car can handle. It also means less time finding the right balance, wing angles, and other setup changes that can help them win an edge over the rest. It looks like more time will be spent on the simulator, familiarizing with the track, rather than physically lapping around the circuit.
Mixed opinions
2-time World Champion, Max Verstappen, does not like the new weekend format for sprint races. He said that: "I am not a fan of it at all. When we do all that kind of stuff, the weekend becomes very intense and we already do a lot of races. But it is not the right way to go about it."
Verstappen even played with the idea of him retiring if things keep changing constantly. He said that he: "won't be around for too long" if more sprint races come into the F1 weekend." Of course, this is only a mind game; it is a way to let the FIA and Formula 1 that changing things will breed uncertainty. This will result in making the category less attractive. He will not really retire knowing that his RB19 is the Holy Grail of motorsport.
Honestly, I agree with Verstappen, although keep in mind that this only applies for sprint races; however, it seems that the FIA and Formula 1's goal is to have more sprint races throughout the season.
On the other hand, George Russell said that: "I don't think it's right that Formula 1 has three times the amount of practice that you have in F3 and F2."
He contrasted his words by saying that "No practice would be too little; this is still the pinnacle of the sport and you don't want to be just left with the car that you created at the start of the year with no opportunity to try out new things."
He also mentions that when there is something on the line, teams tend to play it safe, not trying new things; hence the need for significant free practice time.
Hamilton seems to like the idea of experimenting with new formats; however, he emphasizes that there is a place and time for everything. F1 should not make this new sprint weekend the standard, they should take the time and effort necessary to find a solution depending on the track. He said that: "There's definitely places where it's not going to be good."
For instance, having a sprint weekend on Monaco will simply be too chaotic. Perhaps this format favors big race tracks like Spa, Portimão, Bahrain, and other similar venues.
The point of sprint weekends is to spice up the championship
In the end, the FIA, and Formula 1 should pick up what all the drivers have been saying, and try to form a consensus. Verstappen's worry is logical, but the category should not limit itself to a rigid structure. I think Hamilton's opinion is key; it's good to experiment, but you must be keen on where you do it.
As Russell said, it is crucial for the sport to keep technologies developing, and the only way to achieve this is by having plenty of free practice sessions. The FIA and Formula 1 must not look at sprint race weekends as the final solution to an otherwise complex problem.
They must take the time and effort to find a plethora of solutions to keep an ever-growing championship entertaining to fans around the world.
What are your thoughts on the sprint weekend format? Would you change a few things? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy racing.
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