New F1 sprint weekend format changes slammed

Drivers have slammed the new F1 sprint race format that will debut in at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, calling it more stressful.

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - APRIL 28: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on April 28, 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Drivers have slammed the new F1 sprint race weekend format that debuts this weekend in Azerbaijan, calling it more difficult.

Every driver gave their thoughts on the new format ahead of the first sprint weekend of the year, which will depart from the trial formats used over the past two seasons.

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In previous years, the traditional three practice sessions were cut down to two on the Friday of the weekend alongside qualifying, which would set the grid for a shortened sprint race in which the top eight finishers would receive World Championship points (increased from three in 2021), without the regular mandatory pit stop.

The sprint race would then set the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

In changes brought for this season, the sprint race no longer determines the grid for the Grand Prix, with only one practice session on Friday, following by qualifying only for the Grand Prix.

Saturday will be reserved for sprint proceedings, with a shortened “sprint shootout” held followed by the 100km sprint race.

The sprint shootout follows the progressive elimination format of Grand Prix qualifying, but is two-thirds of the length, with SQ3 to only give drivers eight minutes to set a time.

Reduced championship points remain on offer for the sprint, with the top eight finishers receiving points.

Carlos Sainz struggled to hide his lack of enthusiasm for the new format. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was critical of the format, saying that the traditional format was already good.

“I love racing in general, but sometimes I do feel like you don’t need to really touch what’s great, and I always thought that the Sunday was great,” said Verstappen.

The two-time World Champion stressed that damage minimisation was the critical element of managing the sprint race.

“The most important thing is you don’t get damage, because sometimes it can be hard to repair the car in time,” he said.

Carlos Sainz was begrudging when giving his thoughts on the format, calling it tougher on drivers.

“It’s tougher both mentally and physically for us, but if it makes the fans happy and makes the media happy, makes the product better, we will do it,” Sainz said with an audible sigh.

Mercedes’ George Russell questioned the point of the sprint element generally and called out the challenge of learning the car in a single practice session.

“It’s going to be very challenging for the teams. These F1 cars are so complex, the tyres are so complex,” Russell said.

“You’re going to a track like Baku that is basically a different track every time you drive. And to try and understand the car within 60 minutes is going to be challenging.

“I don’t think it’s going to change the order really at all. One team might move up one position or down one position.

“So ultimately we just need to see if it’s better for the sport globally having this much action and hopefully it doesn’t dilute the excitement on Sunday.”

Pierre Gasly smacked his Alpine into the outside of Turn 3 in Baku during Q3. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Some drivers were enthused about the new changes, particularly drivers from teams in the midfield that had the most to gain relative to their usual points haul on a Grand Prix weekend.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly said he was looking forward to more meaningful time in the car, without the double jeopardy involved in a sprint race that impacted the Grand Prix.

“I must say, personally, I am very excited about it,” Gasly said.

“I feel like they are more meaningful sessions so every time that jumping in the car, you’ve got to sort of like zone in and be focused and make it count every time you are doing laps.

“Definitely in terms of sprint formats I prefer that one, which makes the Saturday stand alone without impacting the Sunday race. And you get an extra quali, which is always fun.”

The first sprint Saturday of the season begins on Saturday at 6pm AEST with the shortened shootout ahead of the sprint race at 11:30pm.

Originally published as New F1 sprint weekend format changes slammed