How Do Sprint Races Work at an F1 Grand Prix?

We often see many changes in this ever-growing and ever-evolving world of Formula 1. The 2021 championship season brought about such a change which, as time passes, is becoming an integral part of the sport. The change in question is the F1 Sprint race format. This completely new format changed the traditional race weekend into an exciting two-race weekend.

However, this new and exciting race format confused the entire Formula 1 community after its initial introduction. Now there is plenty of literature deciphering the complexities of the format. Although we believe this format, with its growing frequency and consistent changes, requires a more in-depth discussion.

What is an F1 sprint race and how does it work?

The sprint race is a 100km dash with no mandatory pitstops allowing the driver to race flat out till the chequered flag. It takes place on a Saturday, replacing the traditional qualifying session for the race. The final result of the sprint race then determines the starting grid of the race. However, what decides the starting grid of the sprint race?

For the sprint weekends in 2023, Friday will host one practice session, and the second practice is replaced by a qualifying session. The results of the qualifying determine the starting grid for the sprint race. What’s at stake in the sprint race?

Apart from the starting grid position, the drivers get an extra incentive to perform in the sprint race. The incentive? Championship points! Starting from the 2022 season, the drivers can secure up to eight points from a sprint race compared to three in 2021.

From 2022 onwards, the sprint race points system changed. The top eight drivers are awarded championship points now compared to the top three in 2021. The winner gets eight championship points and the remaining earn points in decreasing order, with one point being awarded to the driver who crosses the line in P8.

Read More: F1 Sprint Mastermind Puts a Number on Increased Races Next Year After ‘Successful’ Imola GP

The sprint race format has seen changes every year since its introduction. In 2022, the points system changed, and in 2023 we are seeing an uptick in the frequency of races. The format might be gaining popularity among the shot callers. However, the stars of the show, the drivers aren’t convinced about the sprint race format.

The venues for the sprint race in the 2023 season and the controversy around it

The F1 sprint race weekend format has doubled in number since its introduction for the 2023 season. The F1 teams made a unanimous decision at a meeting of the F1 commission last year. This decision to increase the sprint races in the F1 calendar year was seconded by the FIA and a vote amongst the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).

The sprint races will now be a fixture for more than a quarter of the 23-race calendar year. This decision, however, did not get a lot of backing from some of the drivers on the grid. One such driver is our reigning champion, Max Verstappen.

Verstappen made a bold statement to the media about his future in the sport if the governing body keeps making significant changes to the format. Verstappen said, “I’m happy with just the main race. I think that’s way better for the excitement. Naturally, of course, I hope that there won’t be too many changes, otherwise, I won’t be around for too long.”

The Dutchman made these statements after the comments of the F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confessed the sport can host as many as 32 races in a calendar year with a few tweaks to the format. These comments obviously did not sit well with Verstappen among others. However, for now, it’s 23 races with six sprint races.

What GPs are hosting the sprits though? Let us give you a list.

1. ROUND 4 – AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX Baku City Circuit – 28-30 April
2. ROUND 10 – AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX Red Bull Ring, Spielberg – 30 June-2 July
3. ROUND 13 – BELGIAN GRAND PRIX Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – 28-30 July
4. ROUND 18 – QATAR GRAND PRIX Lusail International Circuit, Lusail – 6-8 October
5. ROUND 19 – UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX Circuit of the Americas, Austin – 20-22 October
6. ROUND 21 – BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo – 3-5 November

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Formula 1’s governing body has made plenty of mistakes in recent times, leaving fans dissatisfied with some of the decisions. However, the introduction of the sprint race is a rare win for F1 and the FIA.

Let’s hope the top honchos can strike a good balance between traditional race weekends and sprint weekends.