“6 Sprint-format races confirmed for the 2023 F1 season”
After announcing a 24-race calendar for next season without mentioning sprint races, it was finally after negotiations that a number of 6 Grand Prix in sprint format was chosen by the teams, the FIA and F1.
Launched in 2021, the sprint race format has evolved somewhat in 2022, but only applied to three races. Starting in 2023, however, there will be 6 Grand Prix events affected by this new format, intended to provide more excitement for spectators and thus allowing the Grand Prix to accommodate more people over the course of three days.
What is a Grand Prix in sprint format?
A classic Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place from Friday to Sunday. There are two practice sessions on Friday, one on Saturday morning, and a qualifying session on Saturday afternoon to determine the starting positions for the race on Sunday.
The sprint format is different. The qualifying rounds take place on Friday instead of Saturday and determine the rankings of the drivers not for the Sunday race, but for a “sprint” race held on Saturday afternoon. This race is called “sprint” because it is limited to 1/3 of the number of laps scheduled for a regular race. On Sunday, the usual race is then held, based on the positions obtained at the end of the sprint race.
The latest change concerns the points system. Indeed, with an additional race, the top 3 drivers do not officially step on a podium. They win medals and points. 3 points for the first, 2 points for the second, and 1 point for the third.
Which Grand Prix are concerned?
The FIA and F1 have not communicated the races affected by this special format at the moment. Grand Prix races where it is easy to overtake are more suitable to allow for spectacle and overtaking, but the organizers of an event must therefore accept this special format.
Why implement such a format?
Currently, spectators mainly attend Formula 1 Grand Prix events on Saturday and Sunday. Not only because it’s the weekend, but also because it allows them to visually witness high-stake sessions, namely the qualifying rounds and the race.
With this new format, F1 hopes to attract more visitors to the Grand Prix venues from Friday, with the qualifying session. Spectators will also come in larger numbers on Saturday, so as not to miss the first start of the weekend. This potentially means more revenue for the organizers and therefore for F1 and the teams who are commissioned based on the financial results of each promoter.
Stefano Domenicali, the Director of Formula 1, is happy to confirm six sprint formats for next season, based on the success of the formats introduced since 2021. The sprint races allow for more excitement throughout the weekend and more battles on the track.
Domenicali confirms that the spectators are satisfied, as well as the promoters: « The return of fans, teams, and promoters during these weekends is very positive. »
For Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the President of the FIA, this is a confirmation that Formula 1 is at a level of popularity that continues to grow.
This 2022 F1 season, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, the Austrian Grand Prix, and later in the season, the Brazilian Grand Prix, have been designated to host a Sprint format.
