Azerbaijan, Belgium, the Austin race in the United States, Qatar, Austria, and Brazil will all host qualifying on Friday and a shortened “sprint” race on Saturday from next season, according to Formula One’s announcement of the six sprint venues F1.
On Wednesday, the World Motor Sport Council held a meeting where the selection of venues was approved.
The teams and F1 were keen to double the number, arguing that sprint races have succeeded in attracting more spectators and engaging fans. However, the global governing body of motorsport, the FIA, initially resisted, claiming that it would increase their costs and requesting compensation.
Eventually, agreement was reached, and the venues that were chosen are now confirmed.
Baku, Spa-Francorchamps, the Circuit of the Americas, and the Losail International Circuit in Qatar now host sprint weekends in addition to Spielberg and Interlagos. Imola has been eliminated.
The format will remain unchanged through 2022, with qualifying on Friday determining Saturday’s grid order. On Sunday, the sprint race will have one-third the number of laps as the main event, and the driver who finishes first will get eight points, while the driver who finishes eighth will only get one point. The starting grid for Sunday’s main event will be determined by the sprint race’s final order.
Verstappen stated, “I’m just not a big fan of it, because I feel like we don’t really race.” Even though there are a few points to be won, you also know that you can’t really risk it because the real points are won in the main race. Because you don’t stop for gas, you just put on the tire that will last the whole way.
It is understood that discussions are ongoing regarding potential future adaptations. To encourage drivers to take more risks.
, one suggestion is to make the sprint race a separate event.
In a statement, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: We can’t wait to bring even more action to fans with six events next year, including our first US F1 Sprint in Austin. We have seen a tremendously positive response to the F1 Sprint events during the first two years of their existence.
” Stakeholders like teams, broadcasters, partners, and host venues,” according to the F1 Sprint website.
The number of sprint races has increased to six, or a quarter of the proposed 24-race schedule, for the third year in 2023.
The top eight drivers in the sprint race will receive points, just like they did last year. Again, the sprint races will be around 100 kilometers, or about a third of a grand prix, and they will take place on Saturday. The traditional three-part qualifying for the sprint will take place on Friday and set the grid for the sprint.
The official pole position will go to the driver who finishes first in qualifying on Friday, when these sprint races take place, rather than the sprint race winner, as was the case in 2021.