Launched in 2021 for three Grand Prix events, sprint races allow for two Formula 1 starts in the same weekend and a more exciting Friday for spectators. While the spectacle may not necessarily be heightened, it enables Grand Prix promoters to generate more interest on Fridays and Saturdays and consequently sell more tickets.
Three Grand Prix races were organized in this manner in 2021 and twice as many are planned for 2022. The last event of this sprint format will take place this weekend in Brazil.
For Max Verstappen, the sprint races, which take place on Saturday afternoons with a maximum of twenty laps, require drivers to be too cautious in order not to lose the advantage of their position for the “long” race on Sunday.
On sprint races, every time I think about not having any issues with the car and making sure I am in the top 3. It’s not really a race, because I’m thinking about the one on Sunday where there are a lot more points to be taken.
« You are making a fresh start, so yes, it adds a bit of excitement but only the drivers who are far from their usual position will be able to benefit from it in the end. You put on a set of tires that can last the distance and then nothing else happens.
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Max Verstappen, who just won his second consecutive F1 title, believes that organizers should stick to the traditional race format.
« Drivers have more to lose by trying to move up from third to second place, risking contact and ending up last for the race start, than by doing nothing. So, nothing happens. We had a lot of great races in the regular format this year. »
Last year, the Brazil Grand Prix was already on a sprint format. We were able to witness a victory by Lewis Hamilton in the Sunday race, despite the fact that the Mercedes driver started last on the sprint race grid after receiving penalties for engine changes. The spectacle was indeed guaranteed, as the battle for the driver’s title was not yet over.
