F1 Teams at Odds With FIA ‘Greed’ Over Recent Sprint Race Debacle

The sprint races have been a colossal hit with the fans. However, the FIA is still reluctant to increase the number of such races on the calendar. Although F1 requested to hold 3 additional sprints from next season onwards, they were met with disinterest from the FIA president.

With reports accusing the governing body of ‘greed’, the FIA also reminded everyone that they are a nonprofit organization, as they batted the accusations away.

FIA against the idea of more F1 sprint races

F1 has seen its following and viewership boom in recent times. Sprint races also had some part to play in that. However, the idea of having more such sprints throughout the season is something that the FIA does not stand by. Recently Craig Slater spoke to Sky sports and had some major news to share.

Craig Slater reported that in a recent Formula One Commission meeting, the topic of more sprints came up. However, the hierarchy was more concerned with other things. Slater said, “A number of senior figures at the meeting also told me they were bemused at FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s general attitude. They felt he was more interested in talking about issues like drivers wearing jewelry than some of the major concerns confronting F1.”

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After this week’s race in Imola, there are still 2 more sprint races left this season, in Brazil and Austria. However, it is unlikely that we will get to see 6 sprints come next season.

FIA’s greed getting in the way?

The introduction of sprint races has done wonders for the sport’s image along with Netflix’s Driver to Survive. The teams all seem to share the same opinion. There have been reports from Chris Slater, “F1 and the teams have seen how the sprint increased TV audiences and… hope it could gain independent sponsorship and become an even bigger revenue stream.”

The teams also reportedly said, “in their view, the FIA do not incur significant extra costs by replacing a practice session with a sprint event. They’re shocked that the FIA has taken this position.”

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However, the FIA rebuffed this claim. They told Sky Sports that the cost of organizing a sprint weekend is significantly more expensive than an FP session.

What do you think? Should F1 have more Sprint Races in the coming seasons? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.