Sprint Races are Here to Stay: F1 CEO Dominicali Makes a Big Admission

2022 will mark the beginning of a new era in Formula One, as a set of new rules will be in place. This includes more sprint races spread throughout the season, and some aerodynamic changes that will result in a very different-looking F1 car, intended to close the gap between teams. Thus, the FIA are trying to make the sport more interesting in 2022.

With only seven races left for the 2021 season, Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali sat down for an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater and discussed the sprint races in the 2022 F1 calendar and how they will be set up, after the sprint format’s debut this year.

Stefano Domenicali talks about the future of sprint racing in F1

Domenicali revealed that F1 will continue with the sprint events and will increase the number for the next season.

According to Domenicali, fans will get to enjoy sprint races for seven or eight rounds in 2022. “We said at the beginning of the year there would be three tests this year to make sure we have the right plan for the future,” he said.

“The vast majority of the comments we received were super positive. Promoters are super happy because there is something new and important on Friday and Saturday and Sunday.”

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“I can say we will not go everywhere with the Sprint Quali format. It is something we want to keep for one-third of the races more or less and to connect with a certain different way of giving rewards and points and to connect with specific circuits that as you know would make the difference.”

Longest race calendar to be finished in the shortest time since 2010

Domenicali also mentioned that even though the full 2022 calendar won’t be revealed until October 15, he was ready to disclose some key details about the schedule.

There will be a record-breaking 23 races in the 2022 season. The same target had been set for the ongoing season, but the FIA has had to cancel several races due to the pandemic.

The season is set to start in March and finish by mid-November so that it doesn’t clash with the FIFA world cup, which will be held in the winter; this would be the earliest finish to a season since 2010.

“I can anticipate that, for sure, the calendar will be done with 23 races,” said Domenicali.

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He also mentioned that he was proud of the F1 personnel’s effort that made them the only global sport to carry on with a global schedule in the midst of the pandemic, keeping the people at home entertained. “Of course, we will be very respectful towards the Covid regulations issued around the world from the different governments. But that is our aim that F1 can give this sign of hope and to go to normal things to enjoy.”

Domenicali did not go into details about which race is where, but the new Miami GP is already confirmed. And races in Imola and Turkey are possible for the 2022 season. So, a lot is going to come in the next season of F1 and fans cannot wait for some neck-to-neck racing on the tracks. We can only hope that the rule changes and new race tracks live up to our expectations and give us some good racing.